SOC 35-3011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Bartenders — West Arkansas
West Arkansas nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in West Arkansas, AR is $26,660 a year, trailing the national median of $34,340 by 22.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in West Arkansas, AR is $26,660 a year, trailing the national median of $34,340 by 22.4%. Half of workers earn between $22,980 and $32,150. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $22,880 and the ninetieth at $47,830.
The area has 180 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.1 of every thousand jobs. Fayetteville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $26,570. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 270th of 284 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,880 | −33.4% |
| 25th | $22,980 | −33.1% |
| Median (50th) | $26,660 | −22.4% |
| 75th | $32,150 | −6.4% |
| 90th | $47,830 | +39.3% |
| Mean | $31,660 | −7.8% |
Other metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $26,570 | 910 | |
| 2 | Little Rock | $24,540 | 780 | |
| 3 | Jonesboro | $24,460 | 150 | |
| 4 | Fort Smith | $23,830 | 200 | |
| 5 | Hot Springs | $23,350 | 230 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $26,660 goes as far as $30,679 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$26,660as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,679US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $26,660 a year, 22.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,880 to $47,830 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 180 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fayetteville, at $26,570.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Bartenders in West Arkansas, AR?
The median annual wage is $26,660, or $12.82 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $34,340, so pay in West Arkansas, AR is 22.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in West Arkansas, AR earns more than $47,830 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,880 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Fayetteville, at $26,570 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 180 jobs in this occupation in West Arkansas, AR. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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