Truck Driver Salary in Arkansas (2026): BLS OEWS Data, Top Metros & Carriers
Last verified: 2026-04-20 against the BLS OEWS 53-3032 May 2024 release (published March 2025).
Arkansas is one of the most trucking-concentrated states in the U.S. by carrier HQ count. Walmart HQ Bentonville drives the largest private fleet in the nation. J.B. Hunt Transport Services HQ Lowell is one of the largest transportation companies in the U.S. ABF Freight HQ Fort Smith is a major Teamster LTL carrier. Maverick Transportation HQ Little Rock is a leading flatbed carrier. Arkansas median wages sit below national nominal, but carrier concentration means driver opportunities are genuinely abundant.
Key Takeaways
- BLS OEWS 53-3032, May 2024 — Arkansas state median: $52,120. Employment: ~23,080.2
- Arkansas median sits ~$5,320 below the national median — below-national on nominal, offset by low cost of living.
- Top paying metros: Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway MSA, Fort Smith MSA, Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers).
- Distinguishing features: Walmart HQ Bentonville (largest private fleet in U.S.), J.B. Hunt HQ Lowell, ABF Freight HQ Fort Smith, Maverick Transportation HQ Little Rock, moderate cost of living, state income tax capped ~3.9%.
Arkansas Truck Driver Wages — BLS OEWS 53-3032 State Data
Verify at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ar.htm.2
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median wage | $52,120 |
| State employment | ~23,080 |
| State vs national median | −$5,320 (−9.3%) |
How Arkansas Compares to the National Median
Arkansas's $52,120 median sits ~$5,320 below national nominal.12 BEA Regional Price Parities place Arkansas among the lower cost-of-living states; real purchasing power is competitive.3 State income tax capped ~3.9% is among the lower in the U.S.
Top Arkansas Metros for Truck Drivers
Little Rock–North Little Rock–Conway MSA
- Maverick Transportation HQ — flatbed specialty.
- ArcBest (ABF Freight parent) HQ Fort Smith, significant LR operations.
- State capital + distribution.
- I-30 / I-40 convergence.
Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_30780.htm.4
Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers) MSA
- Walmart HQ Bentonville — private fleet + distribution center density.
- J.B. Hunt HQ Lowell — HQ + regional operations.
- Tyson Foods HQ Springdale — meat processing + dedicated freight.
- I-49 corridor.
Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_22220.htm.4
Fort Smith MSA
- ABF Freight HQ — Teamster LTL carrier.
- Manufacturing + distribution.
- I-40 corridor.
Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_22900.htm.4
Major Freight Industries Driving Arkansas Pay
| Industry | Endorsement fit | Pay band |
|---|---|---|
| Walmart Private Fleet (Bentonville) | None | $70–$105k+ |
| J.B. Hunt DCS / Intermodal | None | $58–$82k |
| ABF Freight Teamster LTL | T | $80–$110k+ experienced |
| Maverick flatbed | None | $55–$82k |
| Tyson Foods dedicated | None | $55–$78k |
| Fuel / chemical tanker | X | $65–$92k |
Major Carriers Hiring in Arkansas
- Arkansas HQs (carrier-dense state): Walmart Private Fleet (Bentonville) — largest private fleet in U.S. J.B. Hunt Transport Services (Lowell) — major truckload, intermodal, DCS. ABF Freight / ArcBest (Fort Smith) — Teamster LTL. Maverick Transportation (Little Rock) — flatbed.
- Tyson Foods (Springdale) — significant dedicated freight operations.
- Mega OTR: Schneider, Werner, CR England, Prime, Knight-Swift, Heartland.
- LTL: Old Dominion, Saia, XPO, FedEx Freight, Estes.
- Tanker: Kenan Advantage, Groendyke, Trimac.
Arkansas's trucking concentration — Walmart PF + JB Hunt + ABF + Maverick + Tyson — is arguably the highest per-capita of any state.
Pay by Route Type
- OTR: $56–$78k.
- Regional (AR/TX/OK/LA/MO/TN): $60–$82k.
- Local: $45–$75k.
- Dedicated: $58–$95k; Walmart Private Fleet at upper end ($70–$105k experienced).
FAQs
How much does a truck driver make in Arkansas in 2026? Arkansas state median is $52,120 per BLS OEWS May 2024, with ~23,080 drivers employed.2 State sits ~$5,320 below national. Walmart Private Fleet and ABF Teamster LTL drivers significantly exceed state median, commonly $85,000–$110,000+ experienced.
What is the highest-paying trucking job in Arkansas? Walmart Private Fleet (Bentonville) is among the highest-paying dedicated jobs in U.S. trucking. Senior ABF Teamster LTL linehaul with OT is close. Both exceed $95,000 experienced.
Is Walmart Private Fleet really that good? Walmart Private Fleet is consistently cited as one of the top dedicated employers in U.S. trucking for pay, equipment, home time, and benefits. HQ Bentonville creates a concentration of PF hiring in Northwest Arkansas.
What are the largest carriers hiring in Arkansas in 2026? Walmart Private Fleet, J.B. Hunt, ABF Freight, Maverick Transportation, Tyson Foods dedicated, Schneider, Werner, Old Dominion, Saia. Most AR-HQ carriers have substantial in-state hiring.
Sources
-
BLS OEWS 53-3032 National. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes533032.htm ↩
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BLS OEWS Arkansas State. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_ar.htm ↩↩↩↩
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BEA Regional Price Parities. https://www.bea.gov/data/prices-inflation/regional-price-parities-state-and-metro-area ↩
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BLS OEWS MSAs. Little Rock: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_30780.htm · NW Arkansas: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_22220.htm · Fort Smith: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_22900.htm · All AR: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm ↩↩↩
