Jat306 // Shutterstock
1 / 50#50. Millwrights
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +12.5% (120 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,080
--- Employment in 2023: 960
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $59,510
Fastest-growing jobs in Arkansas
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis revealed that, as of September 2025, the national hiring rate has reached a decade low, with the exception of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Associated Press reports that several factors have contributed to this, including the impact of the eleven interest rate hikes that occurred in 2022 and 2023 and the dozens of tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump since the beginning of the year.
Economists generally agree that the long-run breakeven employment growth rate (or the rate at which new jobs need to be added to keep up with population growth) is somewhere between 70,000 and 90,000 jobs per month. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in August 2025, just 22,000 new jobs were added. June and July saw a combined 87,000 new jobs added to the workforce.
Those numbers are bleak, to be sure, but not all employment news is bad. Certain sectors, like health care and social services, continue to see rapid growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said average hourly earnings for all employees are also up by 3.7% over the past 12 months. The total number of hours worked per week has been edging down for all employees, providing opportunities for much-needed work-life balance.
The employment story also looks quite different from state to state. Some places, like Utah, New Mexico, Hawai'i, and Idaho, are seeing high-percentage job growth year over year; others, like Washington D.C., Iowa, and Kansas, have actually seen a shrinkage in the overall number of job openings.
Using BLS jobs data, Stacker determined the fastest-growing jobs in Arkansas. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2023 and 2024. 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.
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Joey Chung // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +12.5% (710 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,400
--- Employment in 2023: 5,690
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $51,280
Arjuna Kodisinghe // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Network and Computer Systems Administrators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +12.7% (190 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,690
--- Employment in 2023: 1,500
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $79,040
Nejron Photo // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +12.7% (480 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,260
--- Employment in 2023: 3,780
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $33,910
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +12.9% (1,440 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 12,560
--- Employment in 2023: 11,120
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $40,070
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wee dezign // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Software Developers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +13.1% (740 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,390
--- Employment in 2023: 5,650
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $96,820
Ruslan Galiullin // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Office Clerks, General
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +13.3% (3,570 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 30,390
--- Employment in 2023: 26,820
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,480
Etaphop photo // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Electricians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +13.3% (1,020 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 8,670
--- Employment in 2023: 7,650
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,420
Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +13.5% (340 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,860
--- Employment in 2023: 2,520
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $49,990
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +13.6% (770 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,420
--- Employment in 2023: 5,650
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $64,830
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DGLimages // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +13.8% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,720
--- Employment in 2023: 2,390
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $26,890
Canva
12 / 50#39. Home Health and Personal Care Aides
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +13.9% (2,400 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 19,720
--- Employment in 2023: 17,320
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $27,110
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. Home Health and Personal Care Aides
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +13.9% (2,400 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 19,720
--- Employment in 2023: 17,320
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $27,110
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Billing and Posting Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +14.1% (540 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,380
--- Employment in 2023: 3,840
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,860
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Mechanical Engineers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.0% (150 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,150
--- Employment in 2023: 1,000
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $78,570
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anyaivanova // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.5% (430 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,200
--- Employment in 2023: 2,770
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $50,480
anyaivanova // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.5% (430 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,200
--- Employment in 2023: 2,770
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $50,480
SeventyFour // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +16.1% (150 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,080
--- Employment in 2023: 930
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,600
Loveischiangrai // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +16.7% (160 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,120
--- Employment in 2023: 960
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,210
Zahovaev K // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.0% (1,050 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 7,240
--- Employment in 2023: 6,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,100
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boonchoke // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Business Operations Specialists, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.1% (1,280 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 8,760
--- Employment in 2023: 7,480
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $60,610
BearFotos // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.2% (210 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,430
--- Employment in 2023: 1,220
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,040
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Project Management Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.4% (1,040 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 7,030
--- Employment in 2023: 5,990
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $81,970
wutzkohphoto // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. Physicians, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +20.4% (390 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,300
--- Employment in 2023: 1,910
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $239,200+
Dragon Images // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.3% (550 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,020
--- Employment in 2023: 2,470
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $26,180
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Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Education Administrators, Postsecondary
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.4% (320 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,750
--- Employment in 2023: 1,430
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $79,020
ABO PHOTOGRAPHY / Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. Speech-Language Pathologists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +22.9% (510 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,740
--- Employment in 2023: 2,230
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $79,800
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +24.2% (220 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,130
--- Employment in 2023: 910
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $42,430
Pearl PhotoPix // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +25.8% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,610
--- Employment in 2023: 1,280
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $26,450
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.2% (430 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,010
--- Employment in 2023: 1,580
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $40,810
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David Spates // Shutterstock
31 / 50#20. Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +27.7% (1,060 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,890
--- Employment in 2023: 3,830
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,240
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Food Preparation Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +29.4% (1,330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,860
--- Employment in 2023: 4,530
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $27,330
FabrikaSimf // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Carpenters
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.8% (910 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,860
--- Employment in 2023: 2,950
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,320
Mirnes // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +30.8% (370 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,570
--- Employment in 2023: 1,200
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $44,780
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Coaches and Scouts
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +33.7% (580 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,300
--- Employment in 2023: 1,720
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $42,290
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worradirek // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +34.4% (430 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,680
--- Employment in 2023: 1,250
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $35,050
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Computer Systems Analysts
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +37.4% (980 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,600
--- Employment in 2023: 2,620
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $72,540
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Substitute Teachers, Short-Term
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +39.2% (510 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,810
--- Employment in 2023: 1,300
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $28,490
VGstockstudio // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +40.8% (870 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,000
--- Employment in 2023: 2,130
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $26,580
Africa Studio // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +42.4% (610 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,050
--- Employment in 2023: 1,440
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $28,810
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LuckView // Shutterstock
41 / 50#10. Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +43.5% (970 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,200
--- Employment in 2023: 2,230
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,020
industryviews // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +44.2% (530 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,730
--- Employment in 2023: 1,200
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,460
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +44.8% (640 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,070
--- Employment in 2023: 1,430
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,320
Nomad_Soul // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Bakers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +49.3% (750 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,270
--- Employment in 2023: 1,520
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $29,340
Alena Veasey // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. Cooks, Fast Food
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +49.5% (1,980 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,980
--- Employment in 2023: 4,000
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $24,700
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Goldsithney // Shutterstock
46 / 50#5. Psychiatric Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +60.2% (620 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,650
--- Employment in 2023: 1,030
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $33,090
Jacob Lund // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +63.6% (420 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,080
--- Employment in 2023: 660
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $40,040
Bannafarsai_Stock // Shutterstock
48 / 50#3. Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +78.2% (1,110 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,530
--- Employment in 2023: 1,420
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,020
goodluz // Shutterstock
49 / 50#2. Real Estate Sales Agents
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +79.1% (720 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,630
--- Employment in 2023: 910
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,450
Rebekah Zemansky // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +174.6% (1,030 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,620
--- Employment in 2023: 590
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,620
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.
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