Truck Driver Salary in Arkansas
Complete 2026 salary data for CDL and non-CDL truck drivers in Arkansas. Compare pay by license type, see cost of living adjustments, and find the highest-paying cities.
CDL-A Avg
$57,390
CDL-B Avg
$40,800
Non-CDL Avg
$43,670
Owner-Op Gross
$168,000
Salary Comparison by License Type
How Arkansas truck driver pay compares across CDL-A, CDL-B, non-CDL, and owner-operator categories.
Cost of Living in Arkansas
Arkansas's cost of living is 14% below the national average. Your salary stretches further here than in most states.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Pay
Nominal CDL-A Salary
$57,390
Adjusted Purchasing Power
$66,733
After adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living index of 86, a CDL-A salary of $57,390 provides the same purchasing power as $66,733 in an average-cost area. This means your money goes further in Arkansas than the raw salary suggests.
Which Arkansas metros pay best?
Our estimate for each of these markets, built from the Arkansas average scaled for metro size. Where two metros show the same number it is because they sit in the same population band — we do not hold data fine-grained enough to separate them, and we would rather say so than invent a difference.
Salary by City in Arkansas
Explore detailed truck driver salary data for individual cities in Arkansas, including cost of living adjustments, top employers, and local market trends.
| City | CDL-A Avg | Cost of Living | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | $59,686 | 85 | Stable |
| Fayetteville | $59,686 | 88 | Stable |
| Fort Smith | $57,390 | 86 | Stable |
| Jonesboro | $55,094 | 84 | Stable |
Salary Trend in Arkansas
Arkansas wages remain steady, supported by Walmart's massive logistics network headquartered in Bentonville and J.B. Hunt's presence in Lowell creating consistent demand for drivers.
Arkansas vs National Average
| Category | AR | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| CDL-A Average | $57,390 | $59,710 | $-2,320 |
| Cost of Living | 86 | 100 | -14 |
| Adjusted Pay | $66,733 | $59,710 | +$7,023 |
Driving jobs we are recruiting for in Arkansas
Pay on this page is the statewide picture. These are the actual seats we are filling in Arkansas, each with its own pay, home time and requirements.
OTR Dry Van Driver
$53,000 - $74,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Reefer Driver
$57,500 - $81,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Flatbed Driver
$59,000 - $83,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Step Deck Driver
$60,000 - $85,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Tanker Driver
$60,500 - $86,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Hazmat Driver
$62,500 - $88,000/year · Out 1–2 weeks
OTR Car Hauler Driver
$63,500 - $89,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
OTR Oversized Driver
$66,500 - $94,000/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Regional Intermodal Driver
$54,000 - $76,000/year · Home weekly
Local Box Truck Driver
$44,500 - $62,500/year · Home daily
Regional Dump Truck Driver
$50,000 - $71,000/year · Home most nights
Local Cement Mixer Driver
$50,500 - $71,500/year · Home daily
OTR Hotshot Driver
$55,000 - $77,500/year · Out 1–2 weeks
Regional Less Than Truckload Driver
$56,000 - $79,000/year · Home weekly
OTR Power Only Driver
$53,000 - $74,500/year · Out 2–3 weeks
Local Straight Truck Driver
$43,500 - $61,000/year · Home daily
Frequently Asked Questions About Trucking Pay in Arkansas
What is the average trucker salary in Arkansas?
Arkansas CDL-A drivers average $57,390 per year. Adjusted for the state's low cost of living (86% of national average), the effective purchasing power equals $66,733.
Does J.B. Hunt hire a lot of drivers in Arkansas?
Yes, J.B. Hunt is headquartered in Lowell, AR and is one of the state's largest trucking employers. They offer competitive pay, benefits, and multiple driving divisions for different home time preferences.
What freight runs through Arkansas?
Arkansas sits at the crossroads of I-40 and I-30, handling retail distribution (Walmart), poultry processing (Tyson), and steel/timber freight. The Northwest Arkansas corridor is a major logistics hub.
What does Arkansas pay at your experience level?
- No Experience / Student driver pay in Arkansas
- Entry Level driver pay in Arkansas
- Mid Level driver pay in Arkansas
- Experienced driver pay in Arkansas
- Veteran driver pay in Arkansas