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State profile · NCES F-33 FY2023

Teacher Salary in Arkansas

Arkansas sits in the lowest third of reporting jurisdictions at $43,221 (#49 of 49). According to the NCES Common Core of Data finance survey, estimated teacher pay and per-pupil spending are available for every public school district in Arkansas.

$43,221
Est. state avg salary

Well below benchmark

-38.5%
vs national
#49
National rank
234
Districts

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$43,221/year (est.)

Arkansas sits in the lowest third of reporting jurisdictions at $43,221 (#49 of 49). Estimated average teacher salary is $43,221, materially below the national average of $70,245, ranking #49 of 49, across 199 public school districts with reliable data (NCES CCD F-33, FY2023).

  • Lower-third estimated pay: Arkansas sits in the lowest third of reporting jurisdictions at $43,221 (#49 of 49).
  • lower third nationally (#49 of 49)
  • Arkansas ranks #49 of 49 on the salary estimate and #32 of 49 on enrollment in the same reliable-district pool.
  • $43,913 spread between its highest- and lowest-paying districts
  • -38.5% vs the national average
  • +9.0% estimated-basis panel FY2019→FY2023 (balanced cohort, not the FTE average above)
  • #46 of 49 purchasing-power-adjusted (BEA RPP 86.8)

Arkansas sits in the lower third for estimated pay

Across 199 reliable-salary districts, the average estimate is $43,221: #49 of 49 jurisdictions with a reliable district estimate, and 38.5% below the national benchmark of $70,245.

The rank compares the same F-33-derived district measure nationwide. It does not include benefits, experience steps, taxes, or local living costs; use it as a relative state placement rather than an exact paycheck.

Arkansas purchasing-power check on lower-third pay

Arkansas's nominal average teacher salary ranks #49 of the 49 states and territories that report teacher salaries. Adjusted by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis's 2023 Regional Price Parity (86.8, US = 100, a relative state-level price-level index, not a district or metro cost-of-living figure), the estimate becomes $58,587, ranking #46 of 49 , 3 places higher than the nominal rank once relative price levels are factored in. This purchasing-power view is not published by NEA's teacher-pay rankings or the aggregator sites; it comes from combining our own F-33-derived salary estimate with BEA's public RPP series. See the full 51-state release for methodology and download. BEA Regional Price Parities · NCES CCD F-33

Arkansas in the teacher-salary distribution

FY2023 estimated state averages from the same NCES-derived ranking

$43,221 0th percentile higher than 0% of 49 reporting states and territories

Show national distribution $0–$5,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $5,000–$10,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $10,000–$15,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $15,000–$20,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$25,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$30,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $30,000–$35,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $35,000–$40,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $40,000–$45,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). This entry sits in this band. $45,000–$50,000: 2 reporting states and territories (4%). Above this entry. $50,000–$55,000: 6 reporting states and territories (12%). Above this entry. $55,000–$60,000: 5 reporting states and territories (10%). Above this entry. $60,000–$65,000: 9 reporting states and territories (18%). Above this entry. $65,000–$70,000: 7 reporting states and territories (14%). Above this entry. $70,000–$75,000: 2 reporting states and territories (4%). Above this entry. $75,000–$80,000: 4 reporting states and territories (8%). Above this entry. $80,000–$85,000: 5 reporting states and territories (10%). Above this entry. $85,000–$90,000: 5 reporting states and territories (10%). Above this entry. $90,000–$95,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Above this entry. $95,000–$100,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $100,000–$105,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $105,000–$110,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $110,000–$115,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Above this entry. $115,000–$120,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $120,000–$125,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Above this entry. Arkansas $0 $125,000 reporting state salary estimates, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $5K-wide band; taller bars hold more reporting states and territories. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey; state estimates derived from reported instructional-salary expenditure and teacher FTE · FY2023

Arkansas's comparable salary trend

Same reporting-district cohort, FY2019-FY2023

FY2023 estimated average
$56,287 9.041043820719285% vs FY2019
233 districts held in the panel
$50,000$52,000$54,000$56,000$58,000 FY2019FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023 Arkansas est. avg teacher salary, FY2019: $51,620Arkansas est. avg teacher salary, FY2020: $51,708Arkansas est. avg teacher salary, FY2021: $54,188Arkansas est. avg teacher salary, FY2022: $55,641Arkansas est. avg teacher salary, FY2023: $56,287 $51,620 $56,287 ▲ +9.0%
Read the chart as text
Period Arkansas est. avg teacher salary
FY2019 $51,620
FY2020 $51,708
FY2021 $54,188
FY2022 $55,641
FY2023 $56,287

Highest-paying districts in Arkansas

Estimated average teacher salary, enrolling districts (200+ students)

Est. avg salary

What this shows Fayetteville School District leads Arkansas on the F-33 instructional-salary estimate. Service entities (CTCs, county offices) are excluded, their enrollment-based ratios are not reliable salary figures.

Source NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey, FY2023 As of FY2023

Top 3 districts

1 $73,997

Fayetteville School District

Est. avg teacher salary
2 $71,641

Little Rock School District

Est. avg teacher salary
3 $68,440

Lake Hamilton School District

Est. avg teacher salary

Districts by Estimated Teacher Salary

District Est. Avg Salary Enrollment Per-Pupil Exp
Huntsville School District $42,525 2,339 $14,316
Bradford School District $42,464 473 $12,249
So. Conway Co. School District $42,432 2,459 $13,345
Mayflower School District $42,263 1,045 $12,668
Highland School District $41,979 1,612 $17,429
Dewitt School District $41,668 1,151 $14,472
Norfork School District $41,594 470 $15,749
Malvern School District $41,530 1,831 $18,510
Dardanelle School District $41,344 2,064 $12,688
Ashdown School District $41,341 1,308 $13,221
Strong-huttig School District $41,253 316 $18,443
Mineral Springs School Dist. $41,020 375 $24,792
Beebe School District $40,963 3,394 $11,829
Marked Tree School District $40,959 530 $15,345
Cross County School District $40,864 697 $14,659
Arkadelphia School District $40,852 1,913 $15,398
Jackson Co. School District $40,838 937 $12,491
Mount Ida School District $40,693 447 $15,235
Blytheville School District $40,670 1,581 $15,250
Lamar School District $40,508 1,284 $13,506
Newport School District $40,443 1,268 $15,376
Paris School District $40,433 1,083 $13,670
White Co. Central School Dist. $40,421 899 $11,570
Shirley School District $40,371 319 $17,630
Nevada School District $40,295 414 $14,087
Pottsville School District $40,205 1,856 $11,508
Dermott School District $40,177 337 $21,991
Cleveland County School Dist. $40,122 739 $14,880
Gurdon School District $40,106 645 $16,053
Mulberry School District $40,018 431 $20,773
Berryville School District $39,958 1,863 $13,432
Heber Springs School District $39,608 1,620 $11,596
Rose Bud School District $39,491 752 $13,601
Mccrory School District $39,242 574 $12,990
East Poinsett Co. School Dist. $39,196 621 $13,114
Gentry School District $39,139 1,617 $13,442
Mena School District $38,957 1,745 $14,101
Hector School District $38,791 626 $14,741
Harrison School District $38,762 2,774 $14,871
Hermitage School District $38,481 442 $15,342
Genoa Central School District $38,052 1,183 $16,098
Dover School District $38,034 1,254 $12,909
Ouachita School District $37,997 550 $10,533
Smackover School District $37,928 1,161 $12,590
Southside School District $37,757 2,234 $11,098
Riverside School District $37,703 774 $11,813
Bergman School District $37,585 1,124 $10,867
Watson Chapel School District $37,575 1,796 $15,521
Perryville School District $37,528 904 $14,220
Mountain Pine School District $37,227 641 $16,037
Lawrence County School District $37,182 1,042 $12,516
Bauxite School District $36,895 1,659 $10,646
Harmony Grove School District $36,847 1,244 $15,465
Spring Hill School District $36,755 621 $10,709
Osceola School District $36,627 983 $20,461
Hazen School District $36,606 556 $13,987
Junction City School District $36,315 702 $11,825
Prescott School District $36,289 938 $16,528
Hoxie School District $36,251 868 $13,372
Charleston School District $36,195 889 $11,363
Elkins School District $36,172 1,404 $17,595
Scranton School District $36,112 437 $13,638
Piggott School District $35,961 849 $11,985
Magazine School District $35,953 493 $15,844
Glen Rose School District $35,872 985 $14,058
Green Forest School District $35,804 1,467 $13,145
Clarendon School District $35,733 472 $18,468
Helena/ W.helena School Dist. $35,688 1,012 $19,208
Caddo Hills School District $35,639 589 $17,484
Emerson-taylor School District $35,548 1,171 $12,335
Searcy County School District $35,391 841 $17,225
Armorel School District $35,294 416 $14,724
Kirby School District $34,970 448 $14,815
Cave City School District $34,859 1,235 $14,555
Rivercrest School District #57 $34,620 1,116 $21,265
Salem School District $34,412 876 $12,303
Pocahontas School District $34,260 2,004 $11,178
Foreman School District $34,232 490 $16,161
Harmony Grove School District $33,094 915 $12,754
Corning School District $32,940 832 $13,552
Cedar Ridge School District $32,878 641 $18,407
Lavaca School District $32,766 837 $16,215
Bald Knob School District $32,696 1,106 $14,720
Yellville-summit School Dist. $32,554 1,000 $13,150
Fouke School District $32,072 1,155 $11,588
Pangburn School District $32,071 753 $13,721
Parkers Chapel School Dist. $31,788 846 $11,350
Flippin School District $31,512 915 $15,432
Horatio School District $31,369 694 $14,890
Cutter-morning Star Sch. Dist. $31,332 690 $14,804
Hope School District $31,032 2,263 $15,532
Calico Rock School District $30,964 385 $15,005
Two Rivers School District $30,950 783 $15,461
Melbourne School District $30,816 871 $12,645
Hackett School District $30,646 820 $13,366
Lee County School District $30,546 631 $25,704
Augusta School District $30,529 371 $19,806
Magnet Cove School Dist. $30,229 725 $18,799
Atkins School District $30,084 989 $12,704

Showing 101–199 of 199 enrolling districts. Specialized non-enrolling agencies (career/technical centers, county offices, service co-ops) are excluded from the salary ranking, their enrollment-based estimates are not reliable.

Lowest-Paying Districts in Arkansas

District Est. Avg Salary Enrollment
Atkins School District $30,084 989
Magnet Cove School Dist. $30,229 725
Augusta School District $30,529 371
Lee County School District $30,546 631
Hackett School District $30,646 820
Melbourne School District $30,816 871
Two Rivers School District $30,950 783
Calico Rock School District $30,964 385
Hope School District $31,032 2,263
Cutter-morning Star Sch. Dist. $31,332 690

Among enrolling districts (200+ students) with a reliable estimate; service entities excluded, see methodology.

Nationwide peers near Arkansas's lower-third pay

Two nationwide peer sets for Arkansas: closest on estimated average teacher salary ($43,221 here) and closest on total student enrollment (467,862 here). Link sets are deduped so each column is a distinct comparison path, not geographic containment.

Similar estimated salary

Nearest other states by unweighted district-mean teacher pay (F-33 derived, ≥5 districts with reliable estimates).

Similar enrollment

Nearest other states by NCES-reported K-12 enrollment. Salary peers above are excluded.

Compare Nearby-Ranked States

South Dakota
$50,422
Rank #46
North Carolina
$49,898
Rank #47
Oklahoma
$48,569
Rank #48

Data: NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey + Staff Universe Survey, FY2023. Salary figures divide instructional expenditure (variable Z33) by each district's reported teacher FTE, or an estimated FTE for the small minority with no reported figure. Not individual salary data. Read our methodology.

Arkansas teacher salary FAQ

What is the average teacher salary in Arkansas?

Across 199 Arkansas public school districts with reliable data, the average teacher salary is $43,221 (NCES CCD F-33 reported teacher salaries divided by CCD Staff Universe Survey teacher headcounts, FY2023). It is a district-level mean derived from finance filings, so it will not match a contract-salary survey exactly, read it as a relative comparison.

Which Arkansas school district pays teachers the most?

Fayetteville School District reports the highest average teacher salary in Arkansas at $73,997, while Atkins School District sits at the lower end at $30,084.

How does Arkansas teacher pay compare to the national average?

Arkansas's average of $43,221 is materially below the national average of $70,245 (-38.5%), ranking #49 of the 49 jurisdictions with a reliable district estimate.

How many school districts are in Arkansas?

Arkansas has 234 public school districts in the NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey, together serving 467,862 students.

How much do teachers make in Arkansas?

District-average teacher pay in Arkansas sits in a comparatively narrow band, from $30,084 in Atkins School District to $73,997 in Fayetteville School District. With that little district-to-district spread the statewide figure is a reasonable guide to what most districts pay. These are district-wide averages from NCES CCD F-33 (FY2023), not individual salaries or pay-scale steps.

Can teachers earn $100,000 in Arkansas?

No Arkansas district with reliable data reports an estimated average teacher salary at or above $100,000; the state's highest is Fayetteville School District at $73,997. This is a district-wide average, not an individual salary, step, or years-of-experience figure.

How does Arkansas rank after adjusting for cost of living?

Within the separate enrollment-weighted state comparison, BEA's 2023 Regional Price Parity (86.8, US=100) adjusts Arkansas's nominal estimate of $50,859 from #47 to $58,587 and #46. The headline uses an unweighted district mean, so this does not replace it. Neither measure is take-home pay, taxes, or district/metro cost of living.

Explore Arkansas

Disclaimer & data sources

Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainTeacher for Arkansas