Childcare Worker Salary in Arkansas (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Childcare Workers in Arkansas, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Arkansas Median
$28,450
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.68
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $34,980
State Rank
#42 of 51
5,400 employed here

How much does a Childcare Worker make in Arkansas?

A Childcare Worker working in Arkansas earns a median salary of $28,450 per year, or about $13.68 per hour. That is 19% below the national median of $34,980 for this occupation.

Within Arkansas, entry-level pay starts around $23,940 while the top 10% make $33,640 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,750 and $30,470 a year.

Childcare Worker salary range in Arkansas

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$23,940$11.51
25th percentile (early career)$26,750$12.86
50th percentile (median)$28,450$13.68
75th percentile (experienced)$30,470$14.65
90th percentile (top earners)$33,640$16.17

How Arkansas compares

Arkansas ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories for Childcare Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$47,340
2Washington$41,680
3Massachusetts$40,900
4Colorado$40,750
5California$40,020

Working as a Childcare Worker in Arkansas

Nationally, about 519,000 people work as Childcare Workers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Arkansas pay ($28,450) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Childcare Worker make in Arkansas?
The median Childcare Worker salary in Arkansas is $28,450 per year, or about $13.68 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $23,940 at the entry level to $33,640 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arkansas pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas pays Childcare Workers about 19% less than the national median of $34,980. Arkansas ranks 42nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arkansas a good state for Childcare Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $28,450 a year. About 5,400 Childcare Workers are employed in Arkansas. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Arkansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Arkansas include Dermatologist ($422,060), Neurologist ($317,880), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($262,470), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Childcare Worker salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.