Arkansas Minimum Wage 2026
Last updated: · Source: Arkansas Department of Labor
Arkansas · Minimum Wage 2026
Effective 2021-01-01
Data last verified: 2026-07-09
Tipped Rate
$2.63/hr
Tip Credit
$8.37/hr
Exempt Salary
$684/wk
Effective Date
2021-01-01
Arkansas Wage Calculator
Current Arkansas Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Arkansas is $11.00 per hour in 2026, effective 2021-01-01. This is above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Employers must pay the higher of the two rates, so the Arkansas rate applies. See the federal minimum wage page for how the FLSA floor applies nationwide.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must pay the highest minimum wage that legally applies to a work location, whether set federally, by the state, or by a city or county ordinance.
Arkansas Tipped Minimum Wage
In Arkansas, tipped employees may be paid a direct cash wage of $2.63/hr. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $8.37/hr, but the employee's total hourly earnings (direct wages + tips) must equal at least the full minimum wage of $11.00/hr. If tips fall short, the employer must make up the difference.
| Component | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct cash wage | $2.63/hr | Minimum employer must pay directly |
| Tip credit | $8.37/hr | Maximum credit employer may claim |
| Total required | $11.00/hr | Wages + tips must reach this floor |
Arkansas Exempt Employee Salary Threshold (2026)
An "exempt" employee is a salaried worker who, by law, isn't entitled to overtime pay (time-and-a-half) for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. Whether a salaried employee actually qualifies as exempt depends on both their pay and their job duties. Arkansas follows the federal FLSA salary threshold. To qualify for the white-collar (executive, administrative, or professional) overtime exemption, salaried employees must earn at least $684/week ($35,568/year) in 2026.
City & County Minimum Wages in Arkansas
Act 643 of 2017 prohibits Arkansas cities and counties from enacting minimum wage rates that differ from the state minimum wage.
| City / County | 2026 Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | $11.00/hr (state rate) | Follows Arkansas state rate; local ordinances are preempted. |
| Fayetteville | $11.00/hr (state rate) | Follows Arkansas state rate; local ordinances are preempted. |
| Fort Smith | $11.00/hr (state rate) | Follows Arkansas state rate; local ordinances are preempted. |
| Springdale | $11.00/hr (state rate) | Follows Arkansas state rate; local ordinances are preempted. |
Arkansas Minimum Wage History
The following table shows minimum wage rates in Arkansas over the past several years.
| Year | Minimum Wage | Effective Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $11.00/hr | 2021-01-01 | |
| 2020 | $10.00/hr | 2020-01-01 | |
| 2019 | $9.25/hr | 2019-01-01 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The minimum wage in Arkansas is $11.00 per hour in 2026, effective 2021-01-01. Tipped employees may be paid $2.63 per hour provided tips bring total earnings to at least $11.00/hr.
Arkansas' minimum wage remains $11.00/hr in 2026, unchanged since it reached that level on January 1, 2021 under a 2018 voter-approved ballot measure.
In Arkansas, tipped employees must be paid at least $2.63 per hour directly. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $8.37/hr, but total compensation including tips must reach $11.00/hr.
Arkansas follows the federal FLSA salary threshold. Salaried exempt employees must earn at least $684/week ($35,568/year) to qualify for the white-collar overtime exemption in 2026.
Act 643 of 2017 prohibits Arkansas cities and counties from enacting minimum wage rates that differ from the state minimum wage.