Last Updated :
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July 3, 2019
Arkansas Occupational Statistics- Total Employees in the State: 1,210,130
- 1 Year Change in Employment: -105,670 (-8.0%)
- Average Annual Pay in the State: $41,531
- 1 Year Change in Annual Pay: $4,550 (12.3%)
Occupation Categories
There are 1,210,130 employed workers in Arkansas. The occupation with the greatest number of workers is Office and Administrative Support Occupations, which employs 170,230 people. This represents 14.1% of all workers in the state. The next 2 occupations that have the most workers are Sales and Related Occupations and Production Occupations, which employ 125,230 and 118,630 respectively.
| Occupation Category | # Employees | % of State |
|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 170,230 | 14.1% |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 125,230 | 10.3% |
| Production Occupations | 118,630 | 9.8% |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 108,860 | 9.0% |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 104,850 | 8.7% |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 80,890 | 6.7% |
| Education Training and Library Occupations | 74,380 | 6.1% |
| Management Occupations | 62,780 | 5.2% |
| Installation Maintenance and Repair Occupations | 56,970 | 4.7% |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 50,330 | 4.2% |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 45,190 | 3.7% |
| Personal Care and Service Occupations | 35,930 | 3.0% |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 35,760 | 3.0% |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations | 34,610 | 2.9% |
| Protective Service Occupations | 27,470 | 2.3% |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 23,160 | 1.9% |
| Community and Social Service Occupations | 14,310 | 1.2% |
| Architecture and Engineering Occupations | 12,500 | 1.0% |
| Arts Design Entertainment Sports and Media Occupations | 9,370 | 0.8% |
| Legal Occupations | 6,470 | 0.5% |
| Farming Fishing and Forestry Occupations | 6,280 | 0.5% |
| Life Physical and Social Science Occupations | 5,930 | 0.5% |
Occupation Changes Since Last Year
The occupation with the largest increase in the number of workers is
Production Occupations, which currently employs 118,630 people. In the last year, the number of workers has increased from 114,500 an increase of 4,130 or 3.6%. The next 2 occupations that have the next largest change in workers are
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations and
Personal Care and Service Occupations, which increased 2,430 and 1,930 respectively.
The occupation with the largest decrease in the number of workers is
Healthcare Support Occupations, which currently employs 35,760 people. In the last year, the number of workers has decreased from 37,330 or 4.2%. The next 2 occupations that have the next largest decreases in workers are
Construction and Extraction Occupations and
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations, which decreased 1,140 and 820 respectively.
Occupation Changes Since 2009
The occupation with the largest increase in the number of workers, since the recession ended in 2009, is
Management Occupations, which currently employs 62,780 people. Since 2009, the number of workers has increased from 48,320 an increase of 14,460 or 29.9%. The next 2 occupations that have the next largest change in workers are
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations and
Sales and Related Occupations, which increased 13,250 and 12,650 respectively.
The occupation with the largest decrease in the number of workers is
Office and Administrative Support Occupations, which currently employs 170,230 people. Since 2009, the number of workers has decreased from 184,920 or 7.9%. The next 2 occupations that have the next largest decreases in workers are
Construction and Extraction Occupations and
Production Occupations, which decreased 6,710 and 5,950 respectively.
| Occupation Category | # Employees | % Change |
|---|
| Personal Care and Service Occupations | 35,930 | 39.3% |
| Management Occupations | 62,780 | 29.9% |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 50,330 | 26.4% |
| Legal Occupations | 6,470 | 19.4% |
| Protective Service Occupations | 27,470 | 18.6% |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | 80,890 | 17.0% |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | 108,860 | 13.9% |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 35,760 | 13.2% |
| Farming Fishing and Forestry Occupations | 6,280 | 12.7% |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 125,230 | 11.2% |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | 23,160 | 10.2% |
| Installation Maintenance and Repair Occupations | 56,970 | 8.1% |
| Architecture and Engineering Occupations | 12,500 | 7.3% |
| Arts Design Entertainment Sports and Media Occupations | 9,370 | 5.0% |
| Education Training and Library Occupations | 74,380 | 4.8% |
| Community and Social Service Occupations | 14,310 | 1.9% |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations | 34,610 | -0.1% |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 104,850 | -2.0% |
| Production Occupations | 118,630 | -4.8% |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 170,230 | -7.9% |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | 45,190 | -12.9% |
| Life Physical and Social Science Occupations | 5,930 | -28.5% |
Detailed Occupations
The detailed occupation with the greatest number of workers is
Retail Salespersons, which employs 39,200 people. This represents 3.2% of all workers in the state. The next 2 occupations that have the most workers are
Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers Including Fast Food and
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers, which employ 38,540 and 34,700 respectively.
The Top 10 Occupations in Arkansas are:| Occupation Category | # Employees | % of State |
|---|
| Retail Salespersons | 39,200 | 3.2% |
| Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers Including Fast Food | 38,540 | 3.2% |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 34,700 | 2.9% |
| Cashiers | 31,660 | 2.6% |
| Office Clerks General | 27,120 | 2.2% |
| Registered Nurses | 25,380 | 2.1% |
| Laborers and Freight Stock and Material Movers Hand | 21,760 | 1.8% |
| General and Operations Managers | 20,440 | 1.7% |
| Stock Clerks and Order Fillers | 19,080 | 1.6% |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 18,720 | 1.5% |
Detailed Occupations Since 2009
The detailed occupation with the largest increase in the number of workers is
Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers Including Fast Food, which currently employs 38,540 people. Since 2009, the number of workers has increased from 20,510 an increase of 18,030 or 87.9%. The next 2 detailed occupations that have the next largest change in workers are
Personal Care Aides and
General and Operations Managers, which increased 8,660 and 7,100 respectively.
The detailed occupation with the largest decrease in the number of workers is
Cooks Fast Food, which currently employs 3,950 people. In the last year, the number of workers has decreased from 10,560 or 62.6%. The next 2 occupations that have the next largest decreases in workers are
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants and
Bookkeeping Accounting and Auditing Clerks, which decreased 6,180 and 5,290 respectively.
The Top 10 Detailed Occupations With The Largest Increase Since 2009 are:| Occupation Category | # Employees | % Change |
|---|
| Health Specialties Teachers Postsecondary | 1,600 | 661.9% |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | 1,170 | 431.8% |
| Pesticide Handlers Sprayers and Applicators Vegetation | 350 | 400.0% |
| Parking Lot Attendants | 430 | 330.0% |
| Occupational Health and Safety Technicians | 200 | 300.0% |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | 510 | 292.3% |
| Physician Assistants | 530 | 278.6% |
| Mechanical Door Repairers | 450 | 275.0% |
| Agricultural and Food Science Technicians | 650 | 261.1% |
| Education Administrators All Other | 540 | 260.0% |
The 10 Occupations With The Largest Decrease Since 2009 are:| Occupation Category | # Employees | % Change |
|---|
| Drilling and Boring Machine Tool Setters Operators and Tenders Metal and Plastic | 40 | -93.9% |
| Derrick Operators Oil and Gas | 70 | -93.1% |
| Avionics Technicians | 40 | -89.7% |
| Helpers--Roofers | 50 | -85.7% |
| Economists | 90 | -83.9% |
| Cooks Short Order | 310 | -83.2% |
| Textile Cutting Machine Setters Operators and Tenders | 30 | -82.4% |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers Middle School | 70 | -80.6% |
| Survey Researchers | 80 | -78.9% |
| Personal Care and Service Workers All Other | 140 | -78.8% |
Occupation Pay
The occupation with the highest annual pay is
Management Occupations, which pays an average of $90,640 per year. This represents 118.2% above the state average pay. The next 2 occupations that have the highest average pay are
Legal Occupations and
Architecture and Engineering Occupations, which pay $74,290 and $70,990 per year, respectively.
| Occupation Category | Avg Pay | vs State Avg |
|---|
| Management Occupations | $90,640 | 218.2% |
| Legal Occupations | $74,290 | 178.9% |
| Architecture and Engineering Occupations | $70,990 | 170.9% |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | $68,290 | 164.4% |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | $67,080 | 161.5% |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | $62,950 | 151.6% |
| Life Physical and Social Science Occupations | $59,780 | 143.9% |
| Arts Design Entertainment Sports and Media Occupations | $46,640 | 112.3% |
| Education Training and Library Occupations | $46,410 | 111.7% |
| Installation Maintenance and Repair Occupations | $42,640 | 102.7% |
| Community and Social Service Occupations | $41,670 | 100.3% |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | $38,760 | 93.3% |
| Protective Service Occupations | $37,590 | 90.5% |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | $34,490 | 83.0% |
| Production Occupations | $34,310 | 82.6% |
| Sales and Related Occupations | $34,160 | 82.3% |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | $33,610 | 80.9% |
| Farming Fishing and Forestry Occupations | $32,420 | 78.1% |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | $27,970 | 67.3% |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations | $24,800 | 59.7% |
| Personal Care and Service Occupations | $23,410 | 56.4% |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | $21,880 | 52.7% |
Occupation Pay Changes Since 2009
The occupation with the largest increase in the average annual pay, since the recession ended in 2009, is
Computer and Mathematical Occupations, which currently pays an average of $68,290 per year. Since 2009, pay has increased from $57,300 an increase of $10,990 or 19.2%. The next 2 occupations that pay the most to their workers are
Management Occupations and
Business and Financial Operations Occupations, which increased $10,920 and $10,780 respectively.
| Occupation Category | Annual $ | % Change |
|---|
| Healthcare Support Occupations | $27,970 | 25.5% |
| Arts Design Entertainment Sports and Media Occupations | $46,640 | 24.1% |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations | $21,880 | 21.6% |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | $62,950 | 20.7% |
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | $33,610 | 20.0% |
| Production Occupations | $34,310 | 19.7% |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | $34,490 | 19.7% |
| Computer and Mathematical Occupations | $68,290 | 19.2% |
| Personal Care and Service Occupations | $23,410 | 19.1% |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations | $24,800 | 18.8% |
| Installation Maintenance and Repair Occupations | $42,640 | 18.5% |
| Protective Service Occupations | $37,590 | 18.5% |
| Community and Social Service Occupations | $41,670 | 18.3% |
| Sales and Related Occupations | $34,160 | 17.4% |
| Architecture and Engineering Occupations | $70,990 | 16.6% |
| Education Training and Library Occupations | $46,410 | 15.2% |
| Construction and Extraction Occupations | $38,760 | 14.3% |
| Life Physical and Social Science Occupations | $59,780 | 14.2% |
| Management Occupations | $90,640 | 13.7% |
| Farming Fishing and Forestry Occupations | $32,420 | 13.4% |
| Legal Occupations | $74,290 | 13.3% |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations | $67,080 | 11.5% |
Detailed Occupation Annual Compensation
The detailed occupation that pays their workers the most is
Surgeons, which pays $266,630 per year. This represents 642.0% above the state average of $41,531. The next 2 occupations that pay their workers the most are
Anesthesiologists and
Family and General Practitioners, which pay $229,760 and $228,620 respectively.
Highest Paid OccupationsThe Top 10 Paying Occupations in Arkansas are:
| Occupation Category | Ann'l Pay | % of State |
|---|
| Surgeons | $266,630 | 642.0% |
| Anesthesiologists | $229,760 | 553.2% |
| Family and General Practitioners | $228,620 | 550.5% |
| Internists General | $220,010 | 529.7% |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $205,650 | 495.2% |
| Pediatricians General | $198,660 | 478.3% |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $186,970 | 450.2% |
| Podiatrists | $183,190 | 441.1% |
| Dentists All Other Specialists | $175,030 | 421.4% |
| Dentists General | $165,480 | 398.4% |
Lowest Paid OccupationsThe 10 Lowest Paying Occupations in Arkansas are:
| Occupation Category | Ann'l Pay | % of State |
|---|
| Ushers Lobby Attendants and Ticket Takers | $19,920 | 48.0% |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $19,930 | 48.0% |
| Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers Including Fast Food | $19,960 | 48.1% |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $20,040 | 48.3% |
| Dishwashers | $20,280 | 48.8% |
| Hosts and Hostesses Restaurant Lounge and Coffee Shop | $20,350 | 49.0% |
| Lifeguards Ski Patrol and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $20,360 | 49.0% |
| Food Servers Nonrestaurant | $20,560 | 49.5% |
| Graduate Teaching Assistants | $20,590 | 49.6% |
| Personal Care and Service Workers All Other | $20,760 | 50.0% |
This page was created and is maintained by Kurt Tietjen, Founder of Stavera, High Peak Media & HomeGearWorks.com. Kurt is an executive, data scientist and software engineer who holds an MBA in Management Information Systems. In 2010, he partnered with scientists at Northwestern University to launch The Street Wire. This was one of the first mainstream uses of what would become “Narrative Science”, an artificial intelligence platform specializing in natural language generation. You can contact Kurt on LinkedIn here.