$24 an Hour in Arkansas — After-Tax Take-Home (2026)

At $24/hour (2,080 hours/year), your gross annual income is $49,920. After federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare, and Arkansas state income tax, your take-home pay is $19.39/hr. In Arkansas's low cost-of-living environment, this is a comfortable living wage in Arkansas.

Gross Annual
$49,920
Net Annual
$40,340
Net Monthly
$3,362
Net Hourly
$19.39

Pay Period Breakdown

Period Gross Tax Net
Hourly $24.00 $4.61 $19.39
Daily (8 hrs) $192.00 $36.84 $155.16
Weekly (40 hrs) $960.00 $184.22 $775.78
Biweekly $1,920.00 $368.45 $1,551.55
Monthly $4,160.00 $798.30 $3,361.70
Annual $49,920 $9,580 $40,340

Full Tax Breakdown — Arkansas, Single Filer

Item Rate / Notes Amount
Gross Annual Income $24/hr × 2,080 hrs $49,920
Federal Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$16,100
Federal Taxable Income $33,820
Federal Income Tax 7.6% −$3,810.40
Social Security (6.2%) up to $184,500 −$3,095.04
Medicare (1.45%) −$723.84
Arkansas Standard Deduction Single 2026 −$2,340
Arkansas State Income Tax 3.9% −$1,950.34
Total Tax 19.2% effective −$9,579.62
Net Take-Home $40,340

How Does Arkansas Compare?

See how $24/hr take-home differs in other states at the same wage:

Equivalent Annual Salary Pages

$24/hr = $49,920/year gross. See the full state-by-state salary breakdown:

Adjacent Rates in Arkansas

Same Rate, Other States

Cost of Living in Arkansas

✓ Comfortable — $24/hr covers costs in Arkansas
  • Avg 1BR rent in Little Rock: $800/mo — within budget (19% of gross monthly)
  • Minimum comfortable income in Arkansas: $30,000/yr
  • Your net annual: $40,340 ($10,340 above comfortable threshold)
  • Purchasing power equivalent in Texas: ~$33.6/hr

Working at $24/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 $24/hr, you work roughly 42 hours each month to cover a typical 1BR in Little Rock ($800/mo) -- that's within the 30% gross income guideline. This wage is 2.2x Arkansas's minimum wage of $11/hr. Your combined effective tax rate at $24/hr in Arkansas is 19.2% -- federal income tax accounts for 7.6%, FICA 7.6%, and Arkansas state tax 3.9%.

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 $24/hr in Arkansas

Based on $3,362/month take-home. Percentages follow common 50/30/20 guidelines adjusted for Arkansas's cost of living.

Category Monthly Annual % of Net
Rent / Housing $800 $9,600 23.8%
Food (groceries + dining) $403 $4,836 12.0%
Transportation $336 $4,032 10.0%
Utilities $202 $2,424 6.0%
Healthcare $168 $2,016 5.0%
Entertainment $168 $2,016 5.0%
Savings (10% target) $336 $4,032 10.0%
Remaining / Surplus $949 $11,388 28.2%

Overtime Pay — $24/hr in Arkansas

At time-and-a-half ($36.00/hr), here's what overtime adds to your annual net income in Arkansas. Your marginal tax rate at this income level is ~17.8%.

Extra Hours/Week OT Gross/Week Net/Week (est.) Added Net/Year
5 hrs/week $180 $148 $7,400
10 hrs/week $360 $296 $14,800
20 hrs/week $720 $591 $29,550

Hours to Afford Common Purchases at $24/hr

How many hours of work (gross) to buy common items. Actual cost in after-tax hours is higher — divide by your $19.39 net hourly rate for the true cost in time.

Purchase Price Gross Hours Net Hours
Tank of gas (12 gal) $50 2.1 hrs 2.6 hrs
Week of groceries $120 5 hrs 6.2 hrs
iPhone 16 (base) $799 33.3 hrs 41.2 hrs
1 month rent (Little Rock) $800 33.4 hrs 41.3 hrs
Used car ($10k) $10,000 416.7 hrs 515.7 hrs
Median new car ($48k) $48,000 2000 hrs 2475 hrs

What Jobs Pay $24/hr in Arkansas?

At $24/hour, you earn 26% above the estimated median hourly wage in Arkansas. Jobs that commonly pay around this rate include:

dental assistant, paralegal assistant, HVAC apprentice, bookkeeper, pharmacy technician, surgical technician

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 24/hr, you are in a strong financial position in Arkansas. Your net annual income of $40,340 exceeds the estimated comfortable living threshold of $30,000 by $10,340, giving you real room to save and invest.

Geographic Wage Variation Within Arkansas

The $24/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.

LocationTypical Wagevs. AverageKey Tradeoff
Little Rock metro$25.9/hr+8%Higher pay, higher COL
Arkansas average$24/hrBaselineThis page's figures
Rural Arkansas$23/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 $24/hr in Arkansas

Saving $336/month (10% of net), here is how long it takes to reach common financial milestones from a starting balance of zero:

GoalTargetAt $336/moNotes
Weekend getaway$3,0009 monthsFlights + hotel, domestic
3-month emergency fund$5,72718 monthsCore expenses only
6-month emergency fund$11,45435 monthsFull financial cushion
Used car (no loan)$8,00024 monthsReliable used vehicle
New car down payment$25,00075 months~50% down to minimize payments
Home down payment$4,50014 months10% on a starter home in Arkansas

Your monthly budget surplus of $949 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 $24/hr in Arkansas

Allocating 15% of net monthly income ($504/month) toward debt repayment is sustainable while still allowing for savings and essentials.

DebtBalanceMonthly PaymentPayoff Time
Credit card$5,000$50410 months
Student loan$30,000$50460 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 $24/hr

Contributing 6% ($2,995/year) to a pre-tax 401(k) saves you $491 in taxes at your 16.4% marginal rate -- your actual out-of-pocket cost is only $2,504/year. If your employer matches up to 6%, that match is $2,995 in additional annual compensation -- never leave it uncaptured.

Saving $4,032/year and investing at a 7% average annual return builds significant wealth over time:

Time HorizonTotal ContributedValue at 7% ReturnGrowth Gain
5 years$20,160$21,370$1,210 interest
10 years$40,320$42,860$2,540 interest
20 years$80,640$86,446$5,806 interest

What Would a Raise Mean at $24/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.

RaiseNew RateAdded Net/YearAdded Net/Month
$1/hr raise$25/hr$1,709$142
5% raise$25.2/hr$2,050$171
10% raise$26.4/hr$4,101$342

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 24 an hour a good wage in Arkansas?

24/hr in Arkansas gives you $40,340/year after taxes -- a comfortable living wage in Arkansas. Avg 1BR rent in Little Rock: $800/month (within the 30% rule). It places you 26% above the estimated state median wage.

What is 24 an hour after taxes in Arkansas?

24/hr in Arkansas = $40,340/year or $3,362/month net. Effective tax rate: 19.2%, made up of 7.6% federal, 7.6% FICA, and 3.9% Arkansas state tax.

What jobs pay 24 an hour in Arkansas?

Common roles at 24/hr in Arkansas include dental assistant, LPN, IT support specialist. Metro areas like Little Rock typically pay 8% more for the same role.

How does 24/hr go further -- Arkansas or Texas?

24/hr in Arkansas has similar purchasing power to ~33.6/hr in Texas. Arkansas state income tax reduces take-home vs Texas.

How long to build an emergency fund at 24/hr in Arkansas?

Saving $336/month (10% of net), you reach a 3-month emergency fund of $5,727 in 18 months. A 6-month fund takes 35 months.

What does a 401(k) cost at 24/hr in Arkansas?

A 6% contribution ($2,995/year) saves $491 in taxes at your 16.4% marginal rate. Your net out-of-pocket cost is only $2,504/year -- and if your employer matches, it is essentially free money.

What does a $1/hr raise mean at 24/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 24/hr in Arkansas?

At 24/hr in Arkansas, your total effective tax rate is 19.2%: federal income tax 7.6%, Social Security 6.2%, Medicare 1.5%, and Arkansas state tax 3.9%. You keep 80.8% of every gross dollar.

Can you afford rent in Little Rock on 24/hr?

The average 1BR in Little Rock is $800/month. At 24/hr, rent consumes 19% of your gross monthly pay -- within the recommended 30% ceiling. Your net hourly rate of $19.39 means you work 42 hours per month to cover rent.

What does 24/hr look like as an annual salary?

24/hr times 2,080 hours equals $49,920/year gross. After all taxes in Arkansas, your net annual income is $40,340 -- an effective take-home rate of 80.8%.