Do paralegals need a license in Arkansas?

No statewide license is required for paralegals in Arkansas. Most employers expect industry certifications such as CP (Certified Paralegal), and AAfPE Certificate.

How to Become a Paralegal in Arkansas (2026)

Q: How much do paralegals earn in Arkansas?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), paralegals in Arkansas earned a median annual wage of approximately $47,420. Employment concentration in Arkansas is roughly 0.49 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

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

Arkansas currently employs approximately 1,610 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 0.2% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Arkansas paralegals and legal assistants earn a median annual wage of $47,420 ($22.80/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,610 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -24.6% below the national median of $62,890 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $47,420 ($22.80/hr)
25th percentile: $43,670 per year
75th percentile: $61,880 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $81,700 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $36,290 per year
Workers employed in Arkansas: 1,610
Versus national median: -24.6% below the U.S. median of $62,890
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.49 - this occupation is less concentrated in Arkansas than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Arkansas employs about 1,610 paralegals earning a median $47,420 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No statewide license is required; most paralegals train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.

Key Facts

Median wage (Arkansas): $47,420/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in Arkansas: 1,610 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 0.49x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: 0.2% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Compare Paralegal Schools in Arkansas

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. 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	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Indian Capital Technology Center-Muskogee	68.1	Contact school for pricing	$36,725	98%	—	175 mi
2	University of Arkansas-Fort Smith	63.8	Contact school for pricing	$49,998	37%	Yes*	117 mi
3	NorthWest Arkansas Community College	52.6	Contact school for pricing	$48,056	29%	Yes*	139 mi
4	Northwest Mississippi Community College	47.6	Contact school for pricing	$42,368	Not reported	Yes*	138 mi
5	Coahoma Community College	44.1	Contact school for pricing	$31,140	39%	Yes*	114 mi
6	Bossier Parish Community College	42.3	Contact school for pricing	$43,033	14%	Yes*	183 mi
7	University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College	41.7	Contact school for pricing	$41,807	34%	Yes*	13 mi
8	Remington College-Shreveport Campus	36.6	Contact school for pricing	$33,677	30%	—	197 mi
9	Southwest Tennessee Community College	35.0	Contact school for pricing	$44,124	Not reported	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 1,610 paralegals according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $47,420 ¹. Nationally, paralegal employment is projected to grow 0.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 39,300 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Paralegal in Arkansas, including certification options, 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): $47,420 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Paralegal in Arkansas

How to become a Paralegal in Arkansas? Arkansas does not require a state license for paralegals, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as CP (Certified Paralegal) and AAfPE Certificate. Complete a training program to prepare.

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

Do I need a license in Arkansas? No state license is required, but certifications such as CP (Certified Paralegal) and AAfPE Certificate are expected by most employers.

What do paralegals earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for paralegals in Arkansas is $47,420 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,290 and experienced professionals can earn $81,700 or more ¹.

How to Become a Paralegal 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 paralegal 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.
Earn an industry certification. While Arkansas does not require a statewide license, earn CP (Certified Paralegal) to meet employer expectations and improve hiring prospects.

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

Paralegal Certification Options in Arkansas

Arkansas does not require a state license to work as a paralegal. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for paralegals include:

CP (Certified Paralegal)
AAfPE Certificate

For more information, visit the NALA - Paralegal Association ³. Contact training programs in Arkansas for details on certification preparation courses.

Paralegal Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

Paralegals and Legal Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), paralegals and legal assistants wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Memphis	1,120	$56,850	$60,700	$42,950	$84,480
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway	680	$47,690	$63,680	$37,740	$81,330
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers	380	$49,330	$57,810	$37,400	$81,130
Fort Smith	120	$46,620	$56,890	$36,930	$74,990
Jonesboro	70	$45,520	$57,310	$36,310	$73,670
Texarkana	60	$52,590	$55,800	$34,490	$80,750

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 paralegals in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 1,610 paralegals ¹. Nationally, paralegal employment is projected to grow 0.2% 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 paralegals earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for paralegals in Arkansas is $47,420, which is $13,590 below the national median of $61,010 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
NALA - Paralegal Association: https://www.nala.org/ ↩︎

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)