Arkansas’s minimum wage is $11.00 an hour in 2026, the same rate it has been since January 1, 2021 [1]. It applies to employers with 4 or more employees [1][2]. Here’s what that means for regular, tipped and overtime pay, and what to do if you’re shorted.
At a glance
Who the $11.00 rate covers
The Arkansas Minimum Wage Act covers employers with 4 or more employees [1]. Employers that are also covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act must follow Arkansas law if they have 4 or more employees [1]. Since Arkansas’s $11.00 is higher than the federal $7.25, the higher state rate is what those workers get [2].
| Pay type | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard minimum wage | $11.00 an hour | Employers with 4 or more employees |
| Tipped employees, cash wage | $2.63 an hour | Cash wage plus tips must reach $11.00 |
| Maximum tip credit | $8.37 an hour | The part of $11.00 that tips can cover |
| Overtime | 1.5x the regular rate | Hours over 40 in a workweek, non-exempt employees |
| Federal minimum (for comparison) | $7.25 an hour | Fair Labor Standards Act |
Tipped workers: $2.63 an hour
Arkansas employers can pay tipped employees a cash wage of at least $2.63 an hour [1][3]. Tips can count for up to $8.37 an hour, and the two together have to reach the full $11.00 [3].
Overtime
In most cases, overtime has to be paid for hours over 40 in a workweek at one and one-half times the regular rate of pay, for non-exempt employees [1][2]. Some employees are exempt from overtime [1]. Arkansas counts overtime by the week, not by the day [2].
Is a raise coming?
None that we could find. The Department of Labor and Licensing lists $11.00 as the rate, effective January 1, 2021 [1], and the U.S. Department of Labor’s state table shows the same $11.00 for Arkansas [2]. We found no increase scheduled for 2027.
If you’re not paid what you’re owed
The Labor Standards section of the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing takes wage claims [4]:
- Who qualifies: workers owed $2,000 or less. Employees and independent contractors who physically did the work can file [4].
- Who doesn’t: people who earn more than $50,000 a year [4].
- One route only: you can’t pursue both a lawsuit and a wage claim for the same wages, and all unpaid wages have to be in one claim [4].
- Vacation, sick, holiday, severance or bonus pay: include a copy of the company policy [4].
- How to file: create an account on the department’s Citizen’s Portal and file there [4]. You’ll need the employer’s address and contact information, and the burden is on you to provide proof [4].
- How long: the process generally takes at least 90 days [4].
- Questions: 501-682-4599 [4].
Sources
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What is the minimum wage in Arkansas in 2026?
$11.00 an hour. It has been $11.00 since January 1, 2021. It applies to employers with 4 or more employees.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Arkansas?
$2.63 an hour in cash wages. The employer can count up to $8.37 an hour in tips, but cash wages plus tips have to reach at least $11.00 an hour.
Does Arkansas require overtime pay?
Yes. In most cases, non-exempt employees must get time and a half (one and one-half times the regular rate) for hours over 40 in a workweek. Some employees are exempt.
How do I file a wage claim in Arkansas?
File through the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing's online Citizen's Portal. The Labor Standards section takes claims from workers owed $2,000 or less who earn $50,000 a year or less. Questions: 501-682-4599.
What if my employer has fewer than 4 employees?
The Arkansas Minimum Wage Act doesn't cover employers with fewer than 4 employees. If the job is covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, the federal minimum of $7.25 an hour still applies.