Online Restaurant Management Degree in Arkansas: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)
Quick answer: Arkansas employs about 2,720 food service managers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through your local health department and state food safety authority. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Compare restaurant and food service management programs enrolling now:
Licensing and Credentials in Arkansas
No license is required to manage a restaurant. The regulatory piece is food safety: a food protection manager certification, commonly ServSafe from the National Restaurant Association, with the specific requirement set by local health departments rather than nationally. On the academic side ACPHA accredits hospitality administration programs, though employer recognition and demonstrated operating results carry more weight here than programmatic accreditation.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with your local health department and state food safety authority 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 Food Service Managers Earn in Arkansas
Food Service Managers in Arkansas earn a median $55,120 per year, below the national median of $69,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Restaurant and Food Service Management Pay and Employment in Arkansas at a Glance
| Metric | Arkansas | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $55,120 | $69,390 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $37,690 | $45,960 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $45,590 | $56,870 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $63,160 | $86,800 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $79,300 | $107,640 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 2,720 | 238,430 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 1.36 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 6.4% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How Arkansas Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The Arkansas median of $55,120 sits below the national median of $69,390 (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 1.36 puts Arkansas well above the national average, so the work is noticeably more common here than in the typical state. That usually means a deeper job market and more room to change employers without relocating (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 |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | $58,620 | 700 |
| Fayetteville | $55,960 | 740 |
| Jonesboro | $55,940 | 140 |
| Hot Springs | $52,380 | 110 |
| Fort Smith | $50,390 | 180 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Food service management tracks restaurant density, tourism and hospitality activity, so it is one of the most evenly distributed occupations on the site.
All Arkansas Metro Areas With Published Data
Fayetteville * Fort Smith * Hot Springs * Jonesboro * Little Rock
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 food service managers make in Arkansas?
The median annual wage for food service managers in Arkansas is $55,120, below the national median of $69,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $45,590 at the 25th percentile to $63,160 at the 75th.
How many food service managers work in Arkansas?
Arkansas holds about 2,720 food service manager jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 238,430, and BLS projects about 42,000 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a food service manager in Arkansas?
No license is required to manage a restaurant. The regulatory piece is food safety: a food protection manager certification, commonly ServSafe from the National Restaurant Association, with the specific requirement set by local health departments rather than nationally. On the academic side ACPHA accredits hospitality administration programs, though employer recognition and demonstrated operating results carry more weight here than programmatic accreditation. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with your local health department and state food safety authority before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn an associate or bachelor's in hospitality or restaurant management 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 local health department and state food safety authority.
What is the highest-paying area of Arkansas for food service managers?
Among Arkansas metro areas with published data, Little Rock reports the highest median at $58,620 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is Arkansas a good state for food service managers?
On pay, the state median of $55,120 sits below the national $69,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 1.36 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
- Restaurant and Food Service Management programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- Culinary Chef 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 - Food Service Managers (SOC 11-9051), 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/.