SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Arkansas
Arkansas · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Arkansas is $58,590 per year, close to the national median of $60,280 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Arkansas is $58,590 per year, close to the national median of $60,280 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $42,620 and $73,290. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $39,440 and the ninetieth at $99,070.
The area has 1,040 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.8 of every thousand jobs. Arkansas ranks number 23rd out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Fayetteville records the highest median at $96,420. Of the 673 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 232nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,440 | −34.6% |
| 25th | $42,620 | −29.3% |
| Median (50th) | $58,590 | −2.8% |
| 75th | $73,290 | +21.6% |
| 90th | $99,070 | +64.3% |
| Mean | $63,300 | +5.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $96,420 | 130 | |
| 2 | Jonesboro | $62,440 | 80 | |
| 3 | Little Rock | $51,320 | 450 | |
| 4 | Fort Smith | $46,430 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $58,590 goes as far as $67,422 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$58,590as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,422US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $58,590 a year, 2.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,440 to $99,070 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,040 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 23rd of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fayetteville, at $96,420.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Arkansas?
The median annual wage is $58,590, or $28.17 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 $60,280, so pay in Arkansas is 2.8% 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 Arkansas earns more than $99,070 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,440 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 $96,420 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,040 jobs in this occupation in Arkansas. 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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