Data Analyst Salary in Arkansas: $71,784 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median data analyst pay sits at $71,784/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-2051. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $82,605 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rogers ($81,693), Springdale ($81,635), Fayetteville ($80,378).

In 2026, the average median salary for data analysts in Arkansas is projected to be $71,784, which is approximately 10.7% lower than the national median of $80,394. The highest-paying city in the state is Rogers, where data analysts can expect to earn around $85,353, while Van Buren has the lowest average salary at $41,504, illustrating a significant disparity of $43,849. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the local cost of living, economic development levels, and the concentration of industries requiring data analysis expertise. Arkansas has specific state licensing requirements and regulations that may influence practice scope. The demand for data analysts is steadily increasing, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 4.48%, based on 2025 BLS data. The leading cities for data analyst positions in 2026 include Springdale at $85,292, Fayetteville at $83,979, Little Rock at $69,214, and North Little Rock at $68,192. Overall, the job market for data analysts in Arkansas shows promise, particularly in areas with growing industries, making it a viable option for both new entrants and experienced professionals in the field.
Arkansas Data Analyst Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $24,505 (lowest entry-level) to $132,297 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas data analysts earn 10.71% less than the national median ($-8,610/year difference).
Arkansas Data Analyst Salary Distribution (2026)
Data Analyst salaries in Arkansas range from $47,588 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $98,410 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $71,784. The Arkansas median is $8,610 below the US national median of $80,394. The average hourly rate is $34.51/hr. Approximately 583 data analysts are employed across 21 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$57,665
2025 BLS Actual
$68,706
2026 Current Est.
$71,784
2021–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Data Analysts in Arkansas (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.48% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $57,665 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,145 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,370 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,715 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,706 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,784 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,000 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median data analyst salary grew 19.1% from $57,665 (2021) to $68,706 (2025). At a 4.48% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,000 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,335 (30.06%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.48% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Best Value Cities for Data Analysts in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for data analysts.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers | $85,353 | 86.9 | $98,220 |
| Springdale | $85,292 | 86.9 | $98,150 |
| Fayetteville | $83,979 | 91.353 | $91,928 |
| North Little Rock | $68,192 | 86.9 | $78,472 |
| Conway | $67,744 | 86.9 | $77,956 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,588 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $71,784 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $98,410 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rogers | $85,353 |
| 2 | Springdale | $85,292 |
| 3 | Fayetteville | $83,979 |
| 4 | Little Rock | $69,214 |
| 5 | North Little Rock | $68,192 |
| 6 | Conway | $67,744 |
| 7 | Jonesboro | $45,326 |
| 8 | Fort Smith | $45,254 |
| 9 | Jacksonville | $44,389 |
| 10 | Bentonville | $44,171 |
| 11 | Benton | $43,803 |
| 12 | Hot Springs | $43,761 |
| 13 | Paragould | $43,678 |
| 14 | Pine Bluff | $43,643 |
| 15 | Sherwood | $43,442 |
| 16 | Russellville | $43,213 |
| 17 | Cabot | $43,019 |
| 18 | Texarkana | $43,008 |
| 19 | Searcy | $42,569 |
| 20 | Bryant | $42,250 |
| 21 | Van Buren | $41,504 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced data analysts.
Explore More Data Analyst Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do data analysts make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for data analysts in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas data analyst pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level data analyst salary in Arkansas?
How many data analysts are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for data analysts?
Written by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience in data analysis. She specializes in business intelligence and works at a tech consulting firm.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.48% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 data analyst compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more data analystscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.48%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for data analysts (SOC 15-2051).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst, a licensed data analyst with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov