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Payroll Specialist Salary in Little Rock, Arkansas

Updated 2026-04-06BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$45,256/ year

Median Payroll Specialist in Little Rock, AR

$28,241
10th
$34,440
25th
$45,256
Median
$57,400
75th
$70,028
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$45,256
Total compensation (est.)
$52,044
Bonus range
$2,100 – $8,400
Mean salary
$47,971

How This Compares

Little Rock, AR median
$45,256
Arkansas median
$56,294-19.6%
National median
$55,190-18.0%

Cost of living in Little Rock is 0% below the national average. Salary of $45,256 here is equivalent to $45,256 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$32,584-28.0%
3-5 years
$41,183-9.0%
6-10 years
$50,687+12.0%
10+ years
$62,453+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$39,825-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$45,256
Enterprise (5,000+)
$53,402+18.0%

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Payroll Specialist Salaries in Nearby Cities

Fort Smith, AR$55,190/yr
Fayetteville, AR$55,190/yr

Related Jobs in Little Rock

Financial Analyst$81,188/yr
Accountant$65,502/yr
CPA$65,502/yr
Investment Banker$81,188/yr
Financial Advisor$81,656/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$22/hr
Monthly gross$3,771/mo
25th percentile$34,440/yr
75th percentile$57,400/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Arkansas Unemployment

Dec 2025

4.2%+0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

Payroll Specialist Salaries by City

Compare all US cities →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Payroll Specialist salary in Little Rock?

The median Payroll Specialist salary in Little Rock is $45,256 per year, with a range from $34,440 at the 25th percentile to $57,400 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does Payroll Specialist pay in Little Rock compare to the national average?

Payroll Specialist salaries in Little Rock are 18% below the national median of $55,190. After adjusting for Little Rock's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $45,256 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Payroll Specialist salaries in Little Rock?

In Little Rock, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Payroll Specialist roles start around $28,241, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $70,028 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Little Rock a good place for Payroll Specialist jobs?

Little Rock offers a Payroll Specialist median of $45,256, which is 18% below the US median of $55,190. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Little Rock is 0% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher Payroll Specialist salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Payroll Specialist in Little Rock is $57,400, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.