How to Become a Bookkeeper in Arkansas (2026)

Q: How much do bookkeepers earn in Arkansas?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), bookkeepers in Arkansas earned a median annual wage of approximately $42,840.

Q: What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in Arkansas?

Arkansas currently employs approximately 12,510 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -5.8% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Arkansas employs about 12,510 bookkeepers earning a median $42,840 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most bookkeepers train through an approved program before entering the field in Arkansas.

Compare Bookkeeper Schools in Arkansas

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Black River Technical College	55.3	$4,776 in-state / $7,488 out-of-state	$48,715	55%	Yes*	119 mi
2	NorthWest Arkansas Community College	52.6	$3,342 in-state / $5,238 out-of-state	$48,056	31%	Yes*	139 mi
3	University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana	49.9	$3,880 in-state / $5,560 out-of-state	Not reported	57%	Yes*	115 mi
4	North Arkansas College	47.0	$3,504 in-state / $5,592 out-of-state	$46,210	42%	Yes*	95 mi
5	Coahoma Community College	44.1	$3,490	$31,140	41%	Yes*	114 mi
6	University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College	41.7	$6,300 in-state / $9,450 out-of-state	$41,807	36%	Yes*	13 mi
7	Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas	41.7	$4,200 in-state / $5,070 out-of-state	$39,838	54%	—	129 mi
8	National Park College	40.4	$5,600 in-state / $7,280 out-of-state	$45,799	35%	Yes*	50 mi
9	Southwest Tennessee Community College	35.0	$4,778 in-state / $17,750 out-of-state	$44,124	19%	Yes*	142 mi

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Arkansas employs approximately 12,510 bookkeepers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $42,840 ¹. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 170,000 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Bookkeeper in Arkansas, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school or community college
Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
Median wage (Arkansas): $42,840 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Bookkeeper in Arkansas

How to become a Bookkeeper in Arkansas? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for bookkeepers in Arkansas.

How long does it take? bookkeeper training length in Arkansas varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

What do bookkeepers earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Arkansas is $42,840 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $28,130 and experienced professionals can earn $62,230 or more ¹.

How to Become a Bookkeeper in Arkansas

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Arkansas training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved bookkeeper program in Arkansas that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to bookkeepers in Arkansas before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Bookkeeper Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Memphis	6,320	$48,400	$50,490	$35,550	$66,920
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway	3,480	$44,470	$46,620	$29,510	$65,630
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers	2,460	$45,830	$47,540	$31,480	$63,950
Fort Smith	960	$45,010	$46,420	$31,740	$61,930
Jonesboro	470	$44,660	$45,510	$30,310	$60,320
Texarkana	420	$43,810	$44,940	$29,250	$61,330
Hot Springs	360	$38,450	$41,240	$29,210	$55,340

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 .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 12,510 bookkeepers ¹. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Arkansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Arkansas.

How much do bookkeepers earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in Arkansas is $42,840, which is $6,370 below the national median of $49,210 according to BLS data ¹.

In Arkansas

Best Trade Schools in Arkansas (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Arkansas

Citations

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/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)