2026 Salary — Arkansas
Updated April 29, 2026
Executive Assistant Salary in Arkansas: $61K Median
Executive Assistants in Arkansas earn between $40K and $101K per year.
That's -15% below the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Executive Assistant salary in Arkansas is $61,200 per year — -15% below the US national median of $72,000. Salaries range from $39,780 (entry, 25th percentile) to $100,980 (90th percentile). Arkansas's cost-of-living index is 87. State income tax applies.
Median
$61,200
+360.0% YoY
Entry
$47,736
Experienced
$80,784
Top 10%
$100,980
About Executive Assistants in Arkansas
Executive assistants provide high-level administrative support to C-suite executives, managing calendars, travel, communications, and special projects with discretion and efficiency.
Hot 2026 Skills
AI productivity toolsproject coordinationNotion/Asanaevent planningdata reportingcross-functional support
ATS Keywords
calendar managementtravel coordinationC-suite supportMicrosoft OfficeGoogle Workspaceexpense reportsevent planningdiscretionproject coordination
How to Negotiate Your Executive Assistant Salary in Arkansas
Walk-away anchor: $55,636.
Leverage Points
- Quantified savings: dollars cut from COGS, hours of process time saved
- Six Sigma Black Belt, PMP, CSCP certifications carry pay premiums
- P&L responsibility and headcount managed
- ERP / automation experience (SAP, NetSuite, Workday, RPA tooling)
Negotiate Beyond Base
Annual performance bonus tied to operational KPIsPMP, Six Sigma, CSCP certification reimbursementProfit-share or long-term incentive plan (LTIP)Relocation package for plant / DC rolesTuition reimbursement (often MBA-eligible)
Executive Assistant Salary FAQ — Arkansas
What is the average Executive Assistant salary in Arkansas?
The average Executive Assistant salary in Arkansas is $61,200 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $39,780 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $100,980 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Executive Assistant pay in Arkansas compare to the US average?
Executive Assistants in Arkansas earn approximately 15% less than the US national median ($72,000 nationally vs $61,200 in Arkansas). Arkansas's cost-of-living index of 87 amplifies the real purchasing power.
Did Executive Assistant salaries in Arkansas increase in 2026?
Yes — Executive Assistant salaries in Arkansas grew approximately 360.0% year-over-year, from $13,304 in 2025 to $61,200 in 2026. This reflects the broader Operations sector's wage growth, driven by AI productivity tools and project coordination demand.
Which Arkansas cities pay Executive Assistants the most?
Arkansas has no major metros in our database — fallback to the closest tracked city for detailed breakdowns.
What's the job outlook for Executive Assistants in Arkansas?
Executive assistant roles projected to decline 5% through 2034 as AI automates routine admin tasks. C-suite EAs at top firms remain in demand. Arkansas's top industries include Retail (Walmart HQ), Logistics (J.B. Hunt), Agriculture, and the state's unemployment rate is 3.5% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does Arkansas have state income tax?
Yes, Arkansas has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $61,200, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Executive Assistants in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: AI productivity tools, project coordination, Notion/Asana, event planning, data reporting, cross-functional support. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Arkansas employers.
How can I increase my Executive Assistant salary in Arkansas?
I delivered $X in annualized savings in my last role through process redesign. With my PMP and Black Belt, I'm targeting $X base plus a performance bonus tied to operational KPIs. Beyond base, negotiate: Annual performance bonus tied to operational KPIs, PMP, Six Sigma, CSCP certification reimbursement, Profit-share or long-term incentive plan (LTIP), Relocation package for plant / DC roles. Walk-away anchor for Arkansas: $55,636.
Methodology
Arkansas Executive Assistant salary is the BLS national median ($72,000) adjusted by Arkansas's state multiplier (0.85×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Executive Assistant Salary in Other States
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