SOC 25-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — Arkansas
Arkansas · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Arkansas is $34,190 per year, 10.4% below the national median of $38,140.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Arkansas is $34,190 per year, 10.4% below the national median of $38,140. Half of workers earn between $28,480 and $45,940. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $27,190 and the ninetieth at $56,690.
Employment stands at 3,270, or 2.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Arkansas ranks number 43rd out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Fort Smith records the highest median at $40,710. Of the 673 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 597th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,190 | −28.7% |
| 25th | $28,480 | −25.3% |
| Median (50th) | $34,190 | −10.4% |
| 75th | $45,940 | +20.5% |
| 90th | $56,690 | +48.6% |
| Mean | $38,180 | +0.1% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Smith | $40,710 | 140 | |
| 2 | Fayetteville | $35,680 | 770 | |
| 3 | Hot Springs | $35,600 | 70 | |
| 4 | Jonesboro | $34,340 | 230 | |
| 5 | Little Rock | $34,080 | 870 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $34,190 goes as far as $39,344 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$34,190as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$39,344US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $34,190 a year, 10.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,190 to $56,690 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,270 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 43rd of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fort Smith, at $40,710.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Arkansas?
The median annual wage is $34,190, or $16.44 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 $38,140, so pay in Arkansas is 10.4% 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 Arkansas earns more than $56,690 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,190 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 Fort Smith, at $40,710 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,270 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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