Current minimum wage in Arkansas
Arkansas pays a state minimum of $11.00 an hour, set by a 2018 ballot measure that took full effect in 2021. It applies to employers with four or more workers, and tipped employees can receive a cash wage as low as $2.63 an hour.
The rate rose from $10.00 (effective January 1, 2020) to $11.00 on January 1, 2021, an increase of $1.00 an hour or $2,080 a year for a full-time worker.
Next scheduled change
No further increase is scheduled under current state law.
Tipped minimum wage
Employers may pay tipped employees a cash wage of $2.63 an hour and count tips toward the rest, as long as total pay reaches $11.00 an hour. The federal tipped cash wage is $2.13. Employers may pay tipped workers $2.63 an hour in cash as long as tips bring total pay to at least $11.00.
What minimum wage pays in Arkansas
| Hours per week | Weekly pay | Yearly pay |
|---|---|---|
| 20 hours | $220.00 | $11,440 |
| 25 hours | $275.00 | $14,300 |
| 30 hours | $330.00 | $17,160 |
| 35 hours | $385.00 | $20,020 |
| 40 hours | $440.00 | $22,880 |
After federal and Arkansas taxes, a full-time minimum wage worker who files single keeps about $20,075 a year, or $772 per biweekly check. Run your own numbers with the Arkansas paycheck calculator or see the full breakdown for $11 an hour.
Overtime rules
Follows the federal 40-hour weekly overtime rule.
City and county minimum wages
No local minimum wages.
Exceptions and special rates
The state minimum wage applies to employers with 4 or more employees; smaller employers covered by federal law must pay $7.25.
How Arkansas compares
Arkansas ranks #28 of 51 for its minimum wage, tied with 1 other state at the same rate. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Arkansas in 2026?
The Arkansas minimum wage is $11.00 an hour as of January 1, 2021.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Arkansas?
Employers in Arkansas may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $2.63 an hour, as long as tips bring total pay to at least $11.00. Employers may pay tipped workers $2.63 an hour in cash as long as tips bring total pay to at least $11.00.
When does the Arkansas minimum wage go up next?
No further increase is scheduled under current state law.
How much is minimum wage in Arkansas per year?
At $11.00 an hour, a 40-hour week pays $440 and a full year pays $22,880 before taxes. A single filer keeps about $20,075 after federal and Arkansas taxes.
How does overtime work in Arkansas?
Follows the federal 40-hour weekly overtime rule.