2026 Salary — Arkansas
Updated April 29, 2026
Financial Planner Salary in Arkansas: $82K Median
Financial Planners in Arkansas earn between $53K and $135K per year.
That's -15% below the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Financial Planner salary in Arkansas is $81,600 per year — -15% below the US national median of $96,000. Salaries range from $53,040 (entry, 25th percentile) to $134,640 (90th percentile). Arkansas's cost-of-living index is 87. State income tax applies.
Median
$81,600
+410.0% YoY
Entry
$63,648
Experienced
$107,712
Top 10%
$134,640
About Financial Planners in Arkansas
Financial planners help individuals and families plan for retirement, investments, taxes, and estate goals. CFP-track planners deliver holistic, fiduciary-grade advice.
Hot 2026 Skills
CFP designationtax planningestate planningfee-only RIA modelfinancial planning software (eMoney, RightCapital)behavioral finance
ATS Keywords
CFPfinancial planningretirement planninginvestment managementwealth managementfiduciarytax planningestate planningSeries 65client relationships
How to Negotiate Your Financial Planner Salary in Arkansas
Walk-away anchor: $72,857.
Leverage Points
- Bonus targets and historical payout percentages (ask for last 3 years actual)
- Profit-share, carry, or AUM-linked compensation for senior roles
- CFA, CPA, or Series licenses materially shift base compensation
- Buyout of unvested deferred comp from your current employer
Negotiate Beyond Base
Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds)Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred compCarried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firmsCFA / Series exam fees and study time off401(k) match and deferred comp plan
Financial Planner Salary FAQ — Arkansas
What is the average Financial Planner salary in Arkansas?
The average Financial Planner salary in Arkansas is $81,600 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $53,040 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $134,640 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Financial Planner pay in Arkansas compare to the US average?
Financial Planners in Arkansas earn approximately 15% less than the US national median ($96,000 nationally vs $81,600 in Arkansas). Arkansas's cost-of-living index of 87 amplifies the real purchasing power.
Did Financial Planner salaries in Arkansas increase in 2026?
Yes — Financial Planner salaries in Arkansas grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $16,000 in 2025 to $81,600 in 2026. This reflects the broader Finance sector's wage growth, driven by CFP designation and tax planning demand.
Which Arkansas cities pay Financial Planners 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 Financial Planners in Arkansas?
Financial planner roles projected to grow 13% through 2034. Aging baby boomers and growing wealth transfer driving strong demand for CFPs. 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 $81,600, 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 Financial Planners in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: CFP designation, tax planning, estate planning, fee-only RIA model, financial planning software (eMoney, RightCapital), behavioral finance. 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 Financial Planner salary in Arkansas?
I'm walking away from $X in unvested deferred compensation if I leave now. Can we structure the offer with a sign-on that makes me whole, plus a guaranteed first-year bonus floor? Beyond base, negotiate: Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds), Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred comp, Carried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firms, CFA / Series exam fees and study time off. Walk-away anchor for Arkansas: $72,857.
Methodology
Arkansas Financial Planner salary is the BLS national median ($96,000) adjusted by Arkansas's state multiplier (0.85×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Financial Planner Salary in Other States
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