Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Arkansas

Waiters and waitresses in Arkansas earn the most in Little Rock (average $30,420 a year) and the least in Fort Smith ($27,240), across the 5 Arkansas metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the waiters and waitresses average at $29,050 and the median at $24,680 for 17,880 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $40,060.

Waiters and Waitresses average salary by city in Arkansas

Little Rock$30,420
Fayetteville$30,160
Jonesboro$29,280
Hot Springs$27,620
Fort Smith$27,240

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Little Rock	$30,420	$24,610	$23,630	$25,984	89
Fayetteville	$30,160	$26,210	$24,710	$25,786	91
Jonesboro	$29,280	$24,680	$23,550	$25,110	86
Hot Springs	$27,620	$23,550	$22,880	$23,817	86
Fort Smith	$27,240	$23,680	$23,140	$23,517	86

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Arkansas tax is estimated with the Department of Finance and Administration's 2026 withholding formula. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Waiters and Waitresses salary in other states

Waiters and Waitresses salary by city and state

More about pay in Arkansas

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-3031.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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