How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Arkansas in 2026?

A typical Paramedic in Arkansas earns about $24.19 per hour ($50,310 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Based on that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $4,192 a month or $968 a week. Those weekly and monthly numbers are useful for budgeting, even though most Paramedics are paid hourly or salaried rather than by the week.

That figure sits 17% below the national figure of $60,600 a year for Paramedics, placing Arkansas 46th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia. Arkansas employs about 1,170 Paramedics, a modest workforce compared with the national total of 100,610. Lower pay in Arkansas tends to track the state's lower cost of living relative to higher-paying regions.

Entry-level positions in Arkansas typically offer around $18.67 an hour, or about $38,840 a year, for Paramedics just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the statewide typical figure of $50,310 within the first few years on the job. New Paramedics often start in this range while completing additional certifications or gaining field experience.

Experienced Paramedics in Arkansas often earn upwards of $62,010 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $72,880. That leaves a spread of $34,040 between entry-level and top-tier pay. Setting, years of experience, and the city a Paramedic works in all play a role in where someone lands within that range.

Arkansas Paramedic pay has risen steadily since 2021, when the typical figure stood at $36,620 a year. By 2025, that figure reached $50,310, a gain of $13,690, or about 37%, over five years. The increase reflects broader wage growth in emergency medical services rather than any single change in the field.

Nationally, Paramedic pay rose about 30% over the same period, meaning Arkansas's climb outpaced the national trend in percentage terms even though the dollar figure still trails the national number. For someone starting a Paramedic career in Arkansas now, pay has clearly moved upward in recent years, though nothing guarantees that pace continues.

Pay runs highest in the Conway metro area, where Paramedics typically earn $59,910 a year ($28.81 an hour), about 19% above the statewide figure. North Little Rock and Little Rock post the same figure, while the Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers metro area follows close behind at $56,200 a year. These figures reflect each city's full metro area rather than the city alone.

Jonesboro sits at the bottom among the state's ranked metro areas, with Paramedics typically earning $43,660 a year ($20.99 an hour), a spread of $16,250 between the highest- and lowest-paying areas. Conway also carries the largest Paramedic workforce among Arkansas cities, with about 250 workers. Cities with higher pay generally carry a higher cost of living, so the gap doesn't necessarily translate into more spending power.

Among Arkansas's neighbors, Missouri pays the most for Paramedics, at $59,180 a year, about 18% above Arkansas's figure, with Tennessee close behind at $57,690. Texas and Louisiana also pay more than Arkansas, at $57,500 and $56,050, and Mississippi comes in a bit higher too, at $54,630. Oklahoma is the exception, paying 7% less than Arkansas at $46,790. Paramedic licensure earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, though requirements vary.

Paramedics in Arkansas typically earn $50,310 a year, up from $36,620 in 2021, a rise that has outpaced percentage gains seen nationally even though Arkansas pay still trails the national figure overall. Anyone considering the field should check the Arkansas EMS licensing or registry page for current requirements, and review city-level pages for local pay figures before choosing where to work.