Lawyer Salaries in Arkansas

$98,000 Average Salary
44% Below National Average
$87K Median
$138K Top 10%
$57K Entry Level
$176K National Avg
Arkansas Lawyer Salary Snapshot
  • Average: $98,000 (-44% below national)
  • Career Range: $56,902 (Entry) → $196,000 (Partner)
  • Highest-Paying: Patent Law ($139K)
  • Top Employers: BigLaw ($165K), In-House ($109K)
  • vs Nearby: Below Texas, Tennessee

Arkansas has a small legal market anchored by Little Rock. Walmart headquarters in Bentonville creates significant corporate and retail law demand. Very low cost of living.

Last updated: January 2025 • Source: BLS, NALP

Salary by Experience in Arkansas

How lawyer salaries grow with experience

0-2 years
Entry Level
$56,902
Median: $48K
3-5 years
Mid-Level
$81,200
Median: $72K
6-10 years
Senior
$109,200
Median: $96K
10+ years
Partner
$196,000
Median: $160K
Career Growth Potential

Lawyers in Arkansas can expect a 244% salary increase from entry-level to partner. Starting at $56,902, experienced partners earn $196,000 or more.

Salary by Firm Type in Arkansas

Compare compensation across different employer types

BigLaw (500+ attorneys)
$165,200
Entry: $126K Senior: $244K
Top 100 firms with offices nationwide
Midsize (50-500 attorneys)
$103,600
Entry: $87K Senior: $154K
Regional and specialty boutique firms
Small Firm (2-49 attorneys)
$61,600
Entry: $42K Senior: $92K
Local and small practice firms
Solo Practice
$47,600
Entry: $28K Senior: $84K
Self-employed attorneys
In-House Counsel
$109,200
Entry: $64K Senior: $179K
Corporate legal departments
Government
$54,880
Entry: $36K Senior: $83K
Federal, state, and local agencies
Public Interest
$40,320
Entry: $31K Senior: $53K
Non-profit and legal aid organizations
BigLaw vs Government Trade-off

In Arkansas, BigLaw pays $110,320 more than government roles ($165,200 vs $54,880). However, government attorneys may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) and often enjoy better work-life balance.

Salary by Practice Area in Arkansas

Find the highest-paying legal specialties

💡 Patent Law $139K Entry: $81K | Senior: $213K 🤝 Mergers & Acquisitions $130K Entry: $84K | Senior: $224K ⚖ Antitrust Law $126K Entry: $81K | Senior: $213K 📈 Securities Law $120K Entry: $78K | Senior: $202K 🏛 Corporate Law $116K Entry: $76K | Senior: $196K © Intellectual Property $112K Entry: $70K | Senior: $179K 🏦 Banking & Finance $111K Entry: $73K | Senior: $188K 🔒 Privacy & Data Protection $104K Entry: $64K | Senior: $165K ⚖ Privacy & Data Protection $104K Entry: $64K | Senior: $165K 💻 Cybersecurity Law $100K Entry: $62K | Senior: $160K 📊 Tax Law $98K Entry: $62K | Senior: $157K ⚖ Energy Law $98K Entry: $62K | Senior: $157K 🌐 International Law $96K Entry: $59K | Senior: $154K 🎬 Entertainment Law $94K Entry: $48K | Senior: $154K ⚖ International Trade Law $94K Entry: $59K | Senior: $151K 🏥 Healthcare Law $92K Entry: $56K | Senior: $148K ⚖ Government Contracts $92K Entry: $56K | Senior: $148K 📉 Bankruptcy Law $87K Entry: $53K | Senior: $140K ⚖ Aviation Law $87K Entry: $53K | Senior: $137K 🩺 Medical Malpractice $83K Entry: $42K | Senior: $134K ⚖ Maritime Law $83K Entry: $49K | Senior: $132K 🔨 Litigation $83K Entry: $53K | Senior: $140K 👔 Employment Law $80K Entry: $49K | Senior: $129K ⚖ Sports Law $80K Entry: $42K | Senior: $132K 🏠 Real Estate $77K Entry: $48K | Senior: $123K 🏗 Construction Law $77K Entry: $46K | Senior: $123K 🌿 Environmental Law $76K Entry: $46K | Senior: $120K 🛒 Insurance Law $72K Entry: $44K | Senior: $115K 🩹 Personal Injury $70K Entry: $36K | Senior: $112K 📜 Estate Planning $60K Entry: $35K | Senior: $98K ⚖ Education Law $59K Entry: $35K | Senior: $92K 👪 Family Law $58K Entry: $32K | Senior: $92K 🚓 Criminal Law $55K Entry: $29K | Senior: $87K 🏛 Government/Public Sector $55K Entry: $36K | Senior: $83K 🧰 Workers Compensation $55K Entry: $32K | Senior: $87K ⚖ Criminal Defense $55K Entry: $29K | Senior: $87K 👴 Elder Law $52K Entry: $31K | Senior: $81K ⚖ Civil Rights Law $49K Entry: $29K | Senior: $81K 🌍 Immigration Law $48K Entry: $31K | Senior: $78K
Practice Area Comparison

In Arkansas, Patent Law lawyers earn $90,827 more than Immigration Law attorneys on average ($139,023 vs $48,196). Specializing in high-demand areas can significantly impact lifetime earnings.

Arkansas Legal Market Facts

Key statistics about the legal industry in this state

💼 7,500+ Licensed Attorneys
🏫 2 ABA Law Schools
📍 Little Rock Largest Legal Market
📈 84% Cost of Living Index

Law School ROI in Arkansas

How long to pay off student loans by career path

💰 $130,000 Avg Law School Debt
⏱ 8.8 years To Pay Off at State Avg
📅 $1,480/mo Standard Payment
Payoff Timeline by Career Path
BigLaw $165K
5.2 yrs
In-House $109K
7.9 yrs
Government $55K
15.8 yrs PSLF eligible
At Arkansas's average salary of $98,000, you can pay off $130K in student loans in approximately 8.8 years while allocating 15% of your income to debt repayment.

Compare to Nearby States

How Arkansas compares to neighboring states

Arkansas Current
$98K
Texas
$155K +58%
Tennessee
$118K +20%
Missouri
$115K +17%
Louisiana
$112K +14%
🏠
Cost of Living Context

Arkansas offers a cost of living 16% below the national average, making salaries go further. Median home price: $195,000 - significantly lower than coastal states.

Frequently Asked Questions

The average lawyer salary in Arkansas is $98,000, which is 44% below the national average of $176,470. Salaries range from $56,902 for entry-level positions to $196,000 or more for senior partners.

Patent Law is the highest-paying legal specialty in Arkansas, with an average salary of $139,023. Entry-level patent law attorneys start around $81,200, while senior attorneys can earn $212,800 or more.

First-year lawyers in Arkansas earn an average of $56,902. However, this varies significantly by employer type: BigLaw firms pay $126,000+, while small firms and government positions typically start around $36,400 to $42,000.

Major BigLaw firms in Arkansas typically match the Cravath scale, starting at $225,000 for first-year associates. The adjusted average BigLaw salary in Arkansas is approximately $165,200, reflecting local cost of living and market conditions.

Arkansas ranks below average for lawyer salaries among nearby states. The average of $98,000 is 44% lower than compared to Texas ($155K), Tennessee ($118K), Missouri ($115K).

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