Lawyer salary in Arkansas
Lawyers in Arkansas earn a median of $98,880 a year ($47.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,430 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,660 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $159,670. Arkansas ranks 50th of 51 states for lawyers pay. There are 2.6 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.54). The average (mean) salary is $131,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,900 | $23.99 |
| 25th percentile | $69,470 | $33.40 |
| Median | $98,880 | $47.54 |
| 75th percentile | $132,490 | $63.70 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $220,660 | $106.09 |
| Average (mean) | $131,680 | $63.31 |
Half of lawyers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,240 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,120 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,803.08 |
| Weekly | $1,901.54 |
| Hourly | $47.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $134,440 | 1,670 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $126,220 | 810 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $118,410 | 120 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $97,870 | 1,670 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $92,700 | 90 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $92,510 | 90 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $88,100 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $63,660 | $30.60 |
| Judicial Law Clerk | $80,150 | $38.54 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $47,420 | $22.80 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $47,510 | $22.84 |
| Legal Support Workers, All Other | $44,670 | $21.48 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a lawyer make in Arkansas?
The median salary for lawyers in Arkansas is $98,880 a year, or $47.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of lawyers in Arkansas earn at least $220,660 a year. The top 25% earn $132,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,900 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $69,470 or less.
How many lawyers work in Arkansas?
About 3,430 lawyers are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.