💰 Salary Guide

Social Worker Salary in Arkansas (2026 Guide)

Arkansas is among the lowest-paying states for social workers in the U.S. on a nominal basis, with a weighted mean salary of $54,071. However, cost of living is typically well below the national average, and LCSWs earn up to $66,420. Arkansas' rural footprint and delta region needs defines much of the labor market.

$54,071
Mean salary
-11.8% vs. U.S. median
$66,420
LCSW upside
+22.8% above state mean
6,780
Employed
BLS OES May 2024
+5.1%
Growth 2024–2034
Projected job growth
Salary Breakdown

Arkansas salary by specialty.

BLS tracks four social worker subcategories. Each has different salary dynamics driven by licensure, setting, and employer type.

Specialty (SOC) Arkansas mean U.S. mean Differential
Child, Family & School
SOC 21-1021 · BSW/LMSW/LCSW		 $46,190 $58,570 -21.1%
Healthcare / Medical
SOC 21-1022 · LCSW		 $61,540 $68,090 -9.6%
Mental Health & Substance Abuse
SOC 21-1023 · LCSW		 $58,980 $60,060 -1.8%
Social Workers, All Other
SOC 21-1029 · Policy/VA/Private		 $66,420 $69,480 -4.4%

Data: BLS OES May 2024. Differential compares state subcategory mean to national subcategory mean.

What this means

What this salary picture tells you.

Arkansas has nominal salaries among the lowest in the country, but high shortage pressure and NHSC/PSLF eligibility make it a strong market for social workers prioritizing loan forgiveness and community impact over base pay.

Shortage level: High   Demand score: 81/100   Top settings: Child welfare, Behavioral health, Hospitals

How to earn more in Arkansas

Three levers that move the salary needle.

1. LCSW licensure. The LCSW is the single biggest salary lever in social work. In Arkansas, licensed clinical social workers earn up to $66,420 — +22.8% above the state mean. Requires 4,000 supervised clinical hours and 2 years post-MSW.

2. Specialty choice. Healthcare social workers earn $61,540 on average in Arkansas — typically the highest-paying subcategory. Substance use and geriatric specializations also command premiums due to demand.

3. Setting and employer type. Nationally, state/local government and hospital systems pay $12,000–$16,000 more than individual and family services. PSLF-eligible public-sector employment adds significant effective compensation for anyone with student loans.

LCSW path in ArkansasHours, timeline, examSee the roadmap → Find supervisionConnect with LCSW supervisorsBrowse supervisors → Open jobs in ArkansasLCSW-eligible with 4-signal listingsBrowse jobs →
Compare Arkansas to peer states

Salary peers worth comparing.

Automatically selected based on region, salary tier, and shortage contrast.

Alabama
South · Mean salary
$54,583
Montana
West · Mean salary
$54,953
Nebraska
Midwest · Mean salary
$55,076
Kansas
Midwest · Mean salary
$58,490
FAQ

Common questions about social work salary in Arkansas.

How much do social workers make in Arkansas?
The weighted mean annual salary for social workers in Arkansas is $54,071, based on BLS OES May 2024 data. Pay varies significantly by specialty: Child/Family/School social workers average $46,190, Healthcare social workers $61,540, and Mental Health & Substance Abuse social workers $58,980.
How much do LCSWs make in Arkansas?
LCSWs in Arkansas typically earn up to $66,420 in the highest-paying settings (usually mental health, healthcare, or specialty private practice). That's +22.8% above the overall state mean. Clinical licensure is the single biggest salary lever in social work.
What's the highest-paying social work specialty in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, the highest-paying subcategory is All Other (policy, VA, private practice) at $66,420. Nationally, healthcare social work tends to be the most consistently well-paid, but state-specific patterns vary.
Is Arkansas a good state for social workers?
Arkansas has a demand score of 81/100 based on growth rate, shortage pressure, and labor-market signals. The state's high shortage level and 5.1% projected growth 2024–2034 shape both job availability and compensation dynamics. Best-fit settings include child welfare, behavioral health, hospitals.
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES), May 2024 — mean annual wage by SOC subcategory (21-1021 / 21-1022 / 21-1023 / 21-1029). Weighted mean uses national employment weights (CFS 49%, HC 24%, MH 17%, Other 10%). State employment counts: BLS OES SOC 21-1020 aggregated; est. indicates population-proportional estimate. Growth rate: BLS national 2024–2034 projection with state demographic modifiers. Last updated April 2026. This page provides general career-planning data, not legal or licensing advice — verify current state board requirements before making career decisions.