Fastest-growing jobs in Arkansas

Written by:
April 15, 2024
Stacker // Canva

Fastest-growing jobs in Arkansas

With the country eager to put the pandemic firmly in the rear-view mirror, the American economy continued to boom in 2023. The national unemployment rate remained around 3.6%, while the total number of people employed grew to roughly 152 million, up from 148 million in 2022.

The economy has seen several significant changes in recent years. Many people are leaving expensive coastal states such as California and New York and moving to more affordable places in the Mountain West region and the South, buoyed by companies that have embraced remote work. What's more, in a reversal of past trends, wages grew the fastest for lower-earning workers.

Stacker analyzed jobs data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to determine the fastest-growing jobs in Arkansas. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2022 and 2023. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.

Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in Arkansas.

You may also like: Where refugees in Arkansas are arriving from
1 / 50
Canva

#50. Healthcare social workers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +14.3% (150 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,200
--- Employment in 2022: 1,050
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $60,580

2 / 50
Canva

#49. Physical therapist assistants

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +14.4% (200 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,590
--- Employment in 2022: 1,390
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $64,790

3 / 50
Canva

#48. Construction and building inspectors

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +14.6% (150 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,180
--- Employment in 2022: 1,030
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $56,680

4 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#47. Claims adjusters, examiners, and investigators

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +14.7% (310 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,420
--- Employment in 2022: 2,110
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $64,950

5 / 50
Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#46. Market research analysts and marketing specialists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +14.8% (730 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 5,650
--- Employment in 2022: 4,920
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $62,980

You may also like: Counties with the highest STI rates in Arkansas
6 / 50
Sunshine Seeds // Shutterstock

#45. Industrial production managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +14.9% (310 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,390
--- Employment in 2022: 2,080
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $108,040

7 / 50
wavebreakmedia // Shutterstock

#44. Production workers, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +15.0% (470 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,610
--- Employment in 2022: 3,140
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $35,430

8 / 50
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#43. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +15.1% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,520
--- Employment in 2022: 2,190
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $56,730

9 / 50
Canva

#42. Dental hygienists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +15.1% (240 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,830
--- Employment in 2022: 1,590
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $78,500

10 / 50
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock

#41. Waiters and waitresses

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +16.0% (2,390 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 17,350
--- Employment in 2022: 14,960
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $26,160

You may also like: Counties with the highest unemployment in Arkansas
11 / 50
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

#40. Extruding and drawing machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +16.1% (150 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,080
--- Employment in 2022: 930
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $44,450

12 / 50
Alexander Oganezov // Shutterstock

#39. Amusement and recreation attendants

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +16.7% (290 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,030
--- Employment in 2022: 1,740
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $26,440

13 / 50
Frame Stock Footage // Shutterstock

#38. Computer and information systems managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +17.5% (480 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,230
--- Employment in 2022: 2,750
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $113,290

14 / 50
Canva

#37. Construction managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +17.5% (310 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,080
--- Employment in 2022: 1,770
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $87,590

15 / 50
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY // Shutterstock

#36. Occupational therapists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +17.6% (240 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,600
--- Employment in 2022: 1,360
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $95,230

You may also like: Where people in Arkansas are moving to most
16 / 50
VGstockstudio // Shutterstock

#35. Food servers, nonrestaurant

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +17.7% (320 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,130
--- Employment in 2022: 1,810
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $26,920

17 / 50
Canva

#34. Automotive body and related repairers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +19.3% (220 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,360
--- Employment in 2022: 1,140
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $45,230

18 / 50
Efired // Shutterstock

#33. Bill and account collectors

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +19.3% (230 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,420
--- Employment in 2022: 1,190
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $36,670

19 / 50
Pakorn Khantiyaporn // Shutterstock

#32. Logisticians

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +19.3% (290 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,790
--- Employment in 2022: 1,500
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $75,360

20 / 50
Krakenimages.com // Shutterstock

#31. Childcare workers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +19.4% (980 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 6,030
--- Employment in 2022: 5,050
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $27,980

You may also like: Counties with the most prewar homes in Arkansas
21 / 50
Canva

#30. Architectural and engineering managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +19.5% (170 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,040
--- Employment in 2022: 870
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $132,300

22 / 50
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

#29. Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +19.7% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,520
--- Employment in 2022: 2,940
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $47,460

23 / 50
Canva

#28. Graphic designers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +19.9% (270 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,630
--- Employment in 2022: 1,360
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $44,450

24 / 50
fizkes // Shutterstock

#27. Marketing managers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +20.4% (230 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,360
--- Employment in 2022: 1,130
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $118,290

25 / 50
Canva

#26. Firefighters

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +20.5% (430 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,530
--- Employment in 2022: 2,100
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $39,940

You may also like: Best amusement parks in Arkansas
26 / 50
SritanaN // Shutterstock

#25. Industrial machinery mechanics

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +20.8% (1,270 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 7,370
--- Employment in 2022: 6,100
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $55,180

27 / 50
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#24. Food processing workers, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +21.1% (270 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,550
--- Employment in 2022: 1,280
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $33,510

28 / 50
Canva

#23. Speech-language pathologists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +22.5% (410 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,230
--- Employment in 2022: 1,820
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $80,430

29 / 50
BalanceFormCreative // Shutterstock

#22. Information security analysts

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +23.9% (220 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,140
--- Employment in 2022: 920
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $91,480

30 / 50
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock

#21. Payroll and timekeeping clerks

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +24.1% (270 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,390
--- Employment in 2022: 1,120
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $43,360

You may also like: Best public high schools in Arkansas
31 / 50
Undrey // Shutterstock

#20. Data entry keyers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +24.3% (280 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,430
--- Employment in 2022: 1,150
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $32,410

32 / 50
Syda Productions // Shutterstock

#19. Executive secretaries and executive administrative assistants

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +26.5% (410 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,960
--- Employment in 2022: 1,550
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $51,930

33 / 50
Undrey // Shutterstock

#18. Financial and investment analysts

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +27.2% (280 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,310
--- Employment in 2022: 1,030
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $76,190

34 / 50
aboutsung // Shutterstock

#17. Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +27.7% (700 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,230
--- Employment in 2022: 2,530
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $26,470

35 / 50
Kzenon // Shutterstock

#16. Training and development specialists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +28.5% (820 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 3,700
--- Employment in 2022: 2,880
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $50,850

You may also like: Counties with the lowest cost of living in Arkansas
36 / 50
Canva

#15. Refuse and recyclable material collectors

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +29.4% (450 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,980
--- Employment in 2022: 1,530
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $34,870

37 / 50
Canva

#14. Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +29.8% (2,240 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 9,750
--- Employment in 2022: 7,510
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $35,350

38 / 50
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock

#13. Project management specialists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +30.8% (1,410 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 5,990
--- Employment in 2022: 4,580
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $77,250

39 / 50
rawpixel.com // Shutterstock

#12. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +31.5% (460 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,920
--- Employment in 2022: 1,460
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $50,520

40 / 50
Aykut Erdogdu // Shutterstock

#11. Physical therapists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +33.2% (640 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,570
--- Employment in 2022: 1,930
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $93,880

You may also like: Metros in Arkansas where jobs are growing fastest
41 / 50
Canva

#10. Dispatchers, except police, fire, and ambulance

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +39.0% (530 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,890
--- Employment in 2022: 1,360
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $44,130

42 / 50
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock

#9. Medical secretaries and administrative assistants

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +40.9% (610 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,100
--- Employment in 2022: 1,490
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $34,530

43 / 50
Canva

#8. Electrical engineers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +44.4% (360 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,170
--- Employment in 2022: 810
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $80,190

44 / 50
Canva

#7. Postsecondary teachers, all other

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +45.8% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,050
--- Employment in 2022: 720
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $55,970

45 / 50
zhu difeng // Shutterstock

#6. Merchandise displayers and window trimmers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +52.5% (830 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 2,410
--- Employment in 2022: 1,580
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $30,540

You may also like: Bestselling cars in Arkansas
46 / 50
Pressmaster // Shutterstock

#5. Public relations specialists

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +92.2% (950 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,980
--- Employment in 2022: 1,030
--- Median annual salary in 2023: Data unavailable

47 / 50
Mirnes // Shutterstock

#4. Extruding, forming, pressing, and compacting machine setters, operators, and tenders

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +110.5% (630 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,200
--- Employment in 2022: 570
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $43,920

48 / 50
Canva

#3. Bus drivers, transit and intercity

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +121.3% (570 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,040
--- Employment in 2022: 470
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $36,530

49 / 50
Canva

#2. Bakers

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +145.2% (900 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,520
--- Employment in 2022: 620
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $26,090

50 / 50
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock

#1. Substitute teachers, short-term

- Increase in employment 2022-2023: +828.6% (1,160 employees)
--- Employment in 2023: 1,300
--- Employment in 2022: 140
--- Median annual salary in 2023: $27,220

This story features data reporting and writing by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

You may also like: Cities with the most expensive homes in Arkansas

Trending Now