The minimum salary for an Arkansas certified teacher is $29,244, and this is for teachers who have acquired a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, according to the Arkansas Department of Education. Most districts pay more than this minimum, though some districts pay precisely this amount. Teaching certification in Arkansas does not often lead to high salary immediately. As a result, those interested in becoming a teacher in Arkansas should make sure they are interested in the profession for other reasons as well. Higher degrees can help to mitigate the low salary offered for starting teachers, as students with master’s or doctoral degrees are guaranteed more money. Experience also affects pay, though the experience increases to minimum salary are fairly modest.
The following spreadsheet illustrates how educators in Arkansas stack up financially to the national average. Meeting teaching requirements in Arkansas leads to a lower average salary than in many other areas of the country.
| Occupation | Annual mean wage in Arkansas | Annual mean wage in U.S. |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $69,880 | $86,620 |
| Physics Teachers, Postsecondary | $50,520 | $86,730 |
| Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary | $60,610 | $74,890 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $61,980 | $65,050 |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $50,340 | $68,760 |
| Preschool Teachers Except Special Education | $28,220 | $30,150 |
| Kindergarten Teachers Except Special Education | $44,080 | $52,350 |
| Elementary School Teachers Except Special Education | $44,580 | $55,270 |
| Middle School Teachers Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $46,450 | $55,780 |
| Secondary School Teachers Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $46,710 | $56,760 |
| Special Education Teachers, Preschool, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $46,220 | $56,460 |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $47,850 | $58,420 |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $47,900 | $59,080 |
The area of the state in which a teaching professional works also affects potential salary. Educators in different areas of Arkansas make different amounts of money.
| City | Annual mean wage |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR-MO | $48,700 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $38,710 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $47,740 |
Helpful Resources
- Arkansas Department of Education – Teacher Salary Schedule Analysis
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – annual wages for education, training, and library occupations