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The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs In Arkansas for 2026
Reflecting on my high school days, I remember working at the local movie theater, earning minimum wage along with free popcorn and movie tickets. Back then, I was content with my $5.86/hour salary, but it’s hard to believe that anyone could sustain themselves on such a wage today.
This nostalgia prompted me to explore which professions currently offer the lowest pay in Arkansas.
Following our investigation into the highest paying jobs in Arkansas, we analyzed data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to pinpoint the lowest paying roles in the state.
Our research revealed that Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers are among the lowest earners in Arkansas.
Here’s a summary of the 10 lowest paying jobs in Arkansas:
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants
- Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
- Waiters and Waitresses
- Dishwashers
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
- Graduate Teaching Assistants
- Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other
For additional insights into the earnings of the lowest paying jobs, continue reading, or explore more about the Arkansas job market:
- These Are The 10 Best Places In Arkansas To Get A Job
- 5 Best Startups to Work For in Little Rock
- These Are The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs In Arkansas
How We Determined the Lowest Paid Jobs in Arkansas
We analyzed the BLS’s dataset for all job classifications in Arkansas to identify the positions with the lowest salaries.
We will continue to update this data annually as it becomes available from the BLS. The most recent data is from May 2023.
For more information, check out:
Detailed List Of The Lowest Paying Jobs In Arkansas
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ushers, Lobby Attendants, And Ticket Takers | $19,920 |
| 2 | Amusement And Recreation Attendants | $19,930 |
| 3 | Combined Food Preparation And Serving Workers, Including Fast Food | $19,960 |
| 4 | Waiters And Waitresses | $20,040 |
| 5 | Dishwashers | $20,280 |
| 6 | Hosts And Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, And Coffee Shop | $20,350 |
| 7 | Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, And Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $20,360 |
| 8 | Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $20,560 |
| 9 | Graduate Teaching Assistants | $20,590 |
| 10 | Personal Care And Service Workers, All Other | $20,760 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
