Online Real Estate Degree in Arkansas: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)
Quick answer: Arkansas employs about 1,640 real estate sales agents (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through your state real estate commission for current licensing requirements. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Compare real estate programs enrolling now:
Licensing and Credentials in Arkansas
Selling real estate requires a state license in every state, and the license - not the degree - is the legal credential. Licensing requirements, prelicensing coursework and exams are set state by state and change, and a degree does not replace them. The degree adds finance, appraisal and property management coursework the license does not cover.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your state real estate commission for current licensing requirements that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record for this exact area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Real Estate Sales Agents Earn in Arkansas
Real Estate Sales Agents in Arkansas earn a median $38,180 per year, below the national median of $52,830 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Real Estate Pay and Employment in Arkansas at a Glance
| Metric | Arkansas | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $38,180 | $52,830 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $24,600 | $32,970 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $30,640 | $40,040 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $86,260 | $82,020 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $100,800 | $123,590 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 1,640 | 193,370 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 1.01 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 3.1% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Arkansas Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Arkansas median of $38,180 sits below the national median of $52,830 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 1.01 puts Arkansas slightly above the national average, so the occupation is a little more common here than in the typical state (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Where the Jobs Are in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $38,710 | 600 |
| Little Rock | $38,080 | 500 |
| Hot Springs | $35,530 | 80 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Transaction volume drives this market, so growing metros with active construction and high housing turnover carry the most work.
Real Estate Sales Agents Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), real estate sales agents wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 600 | $38,710 | $57,510 | $23,570 | $101,540 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 500 | $38,080 | $52,890 | $27,440 | $97,760 |
| Memphis | 470 | $46,490 | $58,560 | $30,700 | $104,960 |
| Hot Springs | 80 | $35,530 | $43,350 | $23,070 | $90,620 |
| Texarkana | 30 | $36,660 | $42,470 | $24,200 | $66,140 |
| Fort Smith | N/A | $37,120 | $46,330 | $26,340 | $86,940 |
| Jonesboro | N/A | $43,860 | $51,110 | $27,000 | $96,130 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
All Arkansas Metro Areas With Published Data
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do real estate sales agents make in Arkansas?
The median annual wage for real estate sales agents in Arkansas is $38,180, below the national median of $52,830 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $30,640 at the 25th percentile to $86,260 at the 75th.
How many real estate sales agents work in Arkansas?
Arkansas holds about 1,640 real estate professional jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 193,370, and BLS projects about 36,600 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a real estate professional in Arkansas?
Selling real estate requires a state license in every state, and the license - not the degree - is the legal credential. Licensing requirements, prelicensing coursework and exams are set state by state and change, and a degree does not replace them. The degree adds finance, appraisal and property management coursework the license does not cover. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your state real estate commission for current licensing requirements before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a real estate associate or bachelor's online while working in Arkansas?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies your state real estate commission for current licensing requirements.
What is the highest-paying area of Arkansas for real estate sales agents?
Among Arkansas metro areas with published data, Fayetteville reports the highest median at $38,710 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Arkansas a good state for real estate sales agents?
On pay, the state median of $38,180 sits below the national $52,830 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 1.01 means the occupation is more concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Real Estate programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- Construction Cost Estimator career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Real Estate Sales Agents (SOC 41-9022), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.