📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Food Scientist Salary in Arkansas (2026)

Arkansas · 17.0% below national average · High Demand

Average
$64,972
per year
Median
$60,822
per year
Hourly
$31.24
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$41,566
25th Percentile — Junior$54,182
50th Percentile — Median$60,822
75th Percentile — Senior$82,568
90th Percentile — Top Earners$93,373
💡 Top-earning Food Scientists in Arkansas make up to $93,373 per year. The job market in Arkansas is rated moderate, with key industries including Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$52.1k
2021
$54.5k
2022
$56.9k
2023
$59.5k
2024
$62.2k
2025
$65.0k
2026
📈 Food Scientist salaries in Arkansas have followed the national trend with 4.5% annual growth. The strong demand in Arkansas's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Food Scientist Salary by City in Arkansas
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Little Rock $53,927 -17.0% High
🔍
Food Scientist Job Market in Arkansas
Key factors affecting compensation

Arkansas is home to a moderate job market for Food Scientists. The state's key industries — Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $64,972 per year, Arkansas's Food Scientist salaries are 17.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Arkansas (index: 0.83) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in Arkansas can expect to earn $41,566–$54,182, while experienced Food Scientists can command $82,568–$93,373.

Looking ahead, the Food Scientist profession in Arkansas is projected to grow at 4.5% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Agriculture continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Food Scientist salary in Arkansas is $64,972 per year in 2026, which is 17.0% below the national average of $78,280.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Food Scientists the highest wages in Arkansas due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Arkansas has a moderate job market with major industries in Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing. Opportunities exist in for Food Scientist employment.
  • At $64,972/year, Arkansas Food Scientist salaries are 17.0% lower than the national average of $78,280/year.