2026 Tax Year · Single Filer · Arkansas

$17 an Hour in Arkansas — After-Tax Take-Home (2026)

At $17/hour (2,080 hours/year), your gross annual income is $35,360. After federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and Arkansas state income tax, your take-home pay is $14.08/hr. In Arkansas's low cost-of-living environment, this is enough to get by in Arkansas, though budget carefully.

Gross Annual

$35,360

Net Annual
$29,282

Net Monthly

$2,440

Net Hourly

$14.08

Pay Period Breakdown

Hourly $17.00 $2.92 $14.08

Daily (8 hrs) $136.00 $23.38 $112.62

Weekly (40 hrs) $680.00 $116.88 $563.12

Biweekly $1,360.00 $233.77 $1,126.23

Monthly $2,946.67 $506.50 $2,440.17

Annual $35,360 $6,078 $29,282

Full Tax Breakdown — Arkansas, Single Filer

Gross Annual Income $17/hr × 2,080 hrs $35,360

Federal Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$16,100

Federal Taxable Income $19,260

Federal Income Tax 5.8% −$2,063.20

Social Security (6.2%) up to $184,500 −$2,192.32

Medicare (1.45%) −$512.72

Arkansas Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$2,340

Arkansas State Income Tax 3.7% −$1,309.70

Total Tax 17.2% effective −$6,077.94

Net Take-Home $29,282

How Does Arkansas Compare?

See how $17/hr take-home differs in other states at the same wage:

California $588.78 $2,500/mo $30,003 Florida None $2,549/mo $30,592 New York $1,173.65 $2,452/mo $29,418 Texas None $2,549/mo $30,592 Washington None $2,549/mo $30,592

Open Full Calculator for Arkansas — $17/hr →

Equivalent Annual Salary Pages

$17/hr = $35,360/year gross. See the full state-by-state salary breakdown:

Adjacent Rates in Arkansas

Same Rate, Other States

Cost of Living in Arkansas

⚠ Tight — $17/hr is borderline in Arkansas

Avg 1BR rent in Little Rock: $800/mo — within budget (27% of gross monthly)
Minimum comfortable income in Arkansas: $30,000/yr
Your net annual: $29,282 ($718 below comfortable threshold)
Purchasing power equivalent in Texas: ~$23.8/hr

Working at $17/hr in Arkansas

This is a strong middle-class income in Arkansas. The Bentonville-Fayetteville corridor is the most expensive part of the state, but even there this wage supports a comfortable lifestyle. Arkansas's declining income tax rates improve take-home each year.

At $17/hr, you work roughly 57 hours each month to cover a typical 1BR in Little Rock ($800/mo) -- that's within the 30% gross income guideline. This wage is 1.5x Arkansas's minimum wage of $11/hr. Your combined effective tax rate at $17/hr in Arkansas is 17.2% -- federal income tax accounts for 5.8%, FICA 7.6%, and Arkansas state tax 3.7%.

Walmart's corporate headquarters in Bentonville anchors a large retail and logistics sector. Healthcare, agriculture, and manufacturing round out the economy. The Bentonville area has attracted significant tech and creative talent.

Arkansas has reduced its top income tax rate to 4.4% and continues phasing down rates. The state offers a low-income tax credit for earners below certain thresholds.

Arkansas minimum wage is $11.00/hr (2026).

Monthly Budget on $17/hr in Arkansas

Based on $2,440/month take-home. Percentages follow common 50/30/20 guidelines adjusted for Arkansas's cost of living.

Rent / Housing $800 $9,600 32.8%

Food (groceries + dining) $293 $3,516 12.0%

Transportation $244 $2,928 10.0%

Utilities $146 $1,752 6.0%

Healthcare $122 $1,464 5.0%

Entertainment $122 $1,464 5.0%

Savings (10% target) $244 $2,928 10.0%

Remaining / Surplus $469 $5,628 19.2%

Overtime Pay — $17/hr in Arkansas

At time-and-a-half ($25.50/hr), here's what overtime adds to your annual net income in Arkansas. Your marginal tax rate at this income level is ~17.8%.

5 hrs/week $128 $105 $5,250

10 hrs/week $255 $209 $10,450

20 hrs/week $510 $419 $20,950

Hours to Afford Common Purchases at $17/hr

How many hours of work (gross) to buy common items. Actual cost in after-tax hours is higher — divide by your $14.08 net hourly rate for the true cost in time.

Tank of gas (12 gal) $50 3 hrs 3.6 hrs

Week of groceries $120 7.1 hrs 8.6 hrs

iPhone 16 (base) $799 47 hrs 56.8 hrs

1 month rent (Little Rock) $800 47.1 hrs 56.9 hrs

Used car ($10k) $10,000 588.3 hrs 710.4 hrs

Median new car ($48k) $48,000 2823.6 hrs 3409.6 hrs

What Jobs Pay $17/hr in Arkansas?

At $17/hour, you earn 11% below the estimated median hourly wage in Arkansas. Jobs that commonly pay around this rate include:

medical assistant, customer service rep, administrative assistant, delivery driver, phlebotomist, dental receptionist

These figures reflect statewide averages for Arkansas. The Little Rock metro area typically pays 8% more than rural parts of the state for the same role. Specialized certifications, union membership, or government employment at this wage tier often add meaningful benefits that raise total compensation above the base hourly figure.

At 17/hr in Arkansas, you are earning a functional wage but have limited financial cushion. Your $29,282 net income is close to the $30,000 comfortable living threshold -- deliberate budgeting is essential.

Geographic Wage Variation Within Arkansas

The $17/hr figure reflects a statewide average. Wages for the same job title can differ significantly by location within Arkansas. The Little Rock metro area generally commands a 8% premium over the state average, while rural areas typically pay 4% less.

Little Rock metro$18.4/hr+8%Higher pay, higher COL

Arkansas average$17/hrBaselineThis page's figures

Rural Arkansas$16.3/hr-4%Lower pay, lower COL

When choosing between metro and rural Arkansas at this wage tier, compare net monthly surplus rather than gross hourly rates. Rural areas have lower rent, shorter commutes, and lower day-to-day costs -- the purchasing power difference is often smaller than the raw wage gap suggests.

Savings Goals at $17/hr in Arkansas

Saving $244/month (10% of net), here is how long it takes to reach common financial milestones from a starting balance of zero:

Weekend getaway$3,00013 monthsFlights + hotel, domestic

3-month emergency fund$4,81520 monthsCore expenses only

6-month emergency fund$9,63040 monthsFull financial cushion

Used car (no loan)$8,00033 monthsReliable used vehicle

New car down payment$25,000103 months~50% down to minimize payments

Home down payment$4,50019 months10% on a starter home in Arkansas

Your monthly budget surplus of $469 means you can accelerate these timelines by directing extra cash beyond the 10% baseline. Automating transfers on payday is the most reliable way to stay consistent.

Debt Payoff on $17/hr in Arkansas

Allocating 15% of net monthly income ($366/month) toward debt repayment is sustainable while still allowing for savings and essentials.

Credit card$5,000$36614 months

Student loan$30,000$36682 months

These timelines exclude interest, which meaningfully extends payoff for high-APR credit cards. Prioritize high-interest debt first. Even an extra $50/month toward a credit card balance can cut months off your payoff timeline and save hundreds in interest.

401(k) and Retirement at $17/hr

Contributing 6% ($2,122/year) to a pre-tax 401(k) saves you $348 in taxes at your 16.4% marginal rate -- your actual out-of-pocket cost is only $1,774/year. If your employer matches up to 6%, that match is $2,122 in additional annual compensation -- never leave it uncaptured.

Saving $2,928/year and investing at a 7% average annual return builds significant wealth over time:

5 years$14,640$15,518$878 interest

10 years$29,280$31,125$1,845 interest

20 years$58,560$62,776$4,216 interest

What Would a Raise Mean at $17/hr in Arkansas?

A $1/hr raise adds $1,709 to your annual net take-home in Arkansas after taxes. Your marginal rate on additional income is approximately 17.8%, so you keep 82.2% of every extra dollar earned.

$1/hr raise$18/hr$1,709$142

5% raise$17.9/hr$1,538$128

10% raise$18.7/hr$2,905$242

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 17 an hour a good wage in Arkansas?

17/hr in Arkansas gives you $29,282/year after taxes -- enough to get by in Arkansas, though budget carefully. Avg 1BR rent in Little Rock: $800/month (within the 30% rule). It places you 11% below the estimated state median wage.

What is 17 an hour after taxes in Arkansas?

17/hr in Arkansas = $29,282/year or $2,440/month net. Effective tax rate: 17.2%, made up of 5.8% federal, 7.6% FICA, and 3.7% Arkansas state tax.

What jobs pay 17 an hour in Arkansas?

Common roles at 17/hr in Arkansas include medical assistant, administrative assistant, delivery driver. Metro areas like Little Rock typically pay 8% more for the same role.

How does 17/hr go further -- Arkansas or Texas?

17/hr in Arkansas has similar purchasing power to ~23.8/hr in Texas. Arkansas state income tax reduces take-home vs Texas.

How long to build an emergency fund at 17/hr in Arkansas?

Saving $244/month (10% of net), you reach a 3-month emergency fund of $4,815 in 20 months. A 6-month fund takes 40 months.

What does a 401(k) cost at 17/hr in Arkansas?

A 6% contribution ($2,122/year) saves $348 in taxes at your 16.4% marginal rate. Your net out-of-pocket cost is only $1,774/year -- and if your employer matches, it is essentially free money.

What does a $1/hr raise mean at 17/hr in Arkansas?

A $1/hr raise adds $1,709/year to your net take-home in Arkansas after the 17.8% marginal tax rate. You keep 82.2% of every additional dollar earned.

What is the effective tax rate at 17/hr in Arkansas?

At 17/hr in Arkansas, your total effective tax rate is 17.2%: federal income tax 5.8%, Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.5%, and Arkansas state tax 3.7%. You keep 82.8% of every gross dollar.

Can you afford rent in Little Rock on 17/hr?

The average 1BR in Little Rock is $800/month. At 17/hr, rent consumes 27% of your gross monthly pay -- within the recommended 30% ceiling. Your net hourly rate of $14.08 means you work 57 hours per month to cover rent.

What does 17/hr look like as an annual salary?

17/hr times 2,080 hours equals $35,360/year gross. After all taxes in Arkansas, your net annual income is $29,282 -- an effective take-home rate of 82.8%.