The average paralegal salary in Arkansas is $60,110 per year. The median sits lower at $47,420, which reflects that a smaller group of higher-compensated roles pulls the average up. For most hiring decisions, anchoring your initial offer range to the median gives you a more accurate picture of what candidates in the broader market expect.
Paralegal salary in Arkansas (2026)
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The average paralegal salary in Arkansas is $60,110 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $47,420 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Arkansas employs 1,610 paralegals across the state, and the $12,690 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior paralegals in Arkansas typically earn around $36,290, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $81,700 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a paralegal hire in Arkansas, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $47,420 |
Average Annual Salary | $60,110 |
vs. National Average | 13.8% below the national mean of $69,700 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 1,610 employed paralegals across Arkansas.
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Paralegal salary percentiles in Arkansas
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $36,290 |
25th Percentile | $43,670 |
75th Percentile | $61,880 |
90th Percentile | $81,700 |
Employers setting an offer for a paralegal in Arkansas should expect a wide range depending on experience level. Entry-level candidates typically fall in the $36,290 to $43,670 band, while experienced specialists push toward $61,880 and beyond, with the most senior roles reaching $81,700.
Paralegal salary by city in Arkansas
City | Average Annual Salary |
Little Rock | $63,680 |
Fayetteville | $57,810 |
Jonesboro | $57,310 |
Fort Smith | $56,890 |
Texarkana | $55,800 |
Where you hire in Arkansas will affect your compensation budget in a meaningful way. Little Rock commands the highest average at $63,680, while Texarkana sits at the lower end at $55,800, a spread of nearly $7,880 across the state's major markets. Employers hiring outside Little Rock can generally set offers closer to the lower end of the statewide range without losing competitiveness.
How Arkansas compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Arkansas | $60,110 | $47,420 |
Texas | $65,480 | $62,310 |
Missouri | $64,380 | $61,410 |
Tennessee | $60,790 | $58,820 |
Oklahoma | $55,510 | $53,170 |
Mississippi | $49,500 | $46,180 |
Arkansas offers employers a cost-effective market for paralegal talent relative to most neighboring states. The statewide mean of $60,110 sits below Texas at $65,480 and Missouri at $64,380, meaning Arkansas-based employers face lower compensation pressure than peers in those markets. Oklahoma and Mississippi come in lower, but Arkansas remains broadly competitive with Tennessee at $60,790.
Frequently asked questions about paralegal salary in Arkansas
What is the average paralegal salary in Arkansas?
What is the salary range for a paralegal in Arkansas?
Paralegal salaries in Arkansas range from $36,290 at the 10th percentile to $81,700 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market falls between $43,670 at the 25th percentile and $61,880 at the 75th percentile. When building a compensation band, use that middle range as your core and adjust up or down based on the candidate's experience and the specialization your role requires.
What do the top-earning paralegals make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of paralegals in Arkansas earn $81,700 or more per year. The statewide mean of $60,110 falls well below that threshold, so most of the workforce earns in the mid-range rather than at the top. If you are competing for senior or specialized talent, plan for offers that approach or exceed the $81,700 mark to stay relevant in that segment of the market.
How does Arkansas compare to other states for paralegal salary?
Arkansas sits in the middle of the regional pack, with a mean of $60,110 that trails Texas at $65,480 and Missouri at $64,380 but exceeds Oklahoma at $55,510 and Mississippi at $49,500. Employers in Arkansas face less upward salary pressure than those hiring in Texas or Missouri. That cost advantage can be meaningful when budgeting for multiple paralegal hires or building out a legal support team.
Paralegal salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 23-2011 (Paralegals and Legal Assistants).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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