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Education Administrators, Postsecondary Salary in Arkansas: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Education Administrators, Postsecondary salary really buy you in Arkansas?

Arkansas is 13.4% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$78,240
Median annual (2025)
+15.5%
Real Purchasing Power
$90,346
COL-adjusted (RPP=86.6)

Arkansas Cost of Living Index

Arkansas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 86.6, meaning prices are 13.4% lower the national average. A Education Administrators, Postsecondary earning $78,240 in Arkansas has the equivalent purchasing power of $90,346 in an average-cost US state.

AR: 86.6
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $51,910 $59,942 +$8,032
25th Percentile (P25) $62,630 $72,321 +$9,691
Median (P50) $78,240 $90,346 +$12,106
75th Percentile (P75) $118,520 $136,859 +$18,339
90th Percentile (P90) $166,240 $191,963 +$25,723
Key Insight

A Education Administrators, Postsecondary in Arkansas earns $78,240 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 15% further — like earning $90,346 in an average-cost state. This makes Arkansas one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Arkansas Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 86.6

Arkansas's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 86.6 means a basket of goods and services costs about 13.4% less than the national average. For a Education Administrators, Postsecondary, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+15.5%

Adjusting $78,240 for Arkansas's cost of living yields $90,346 — a 15.5% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#48 / 51

Arkansas ranks #48 of 51 — bottom quartile for Education Administrators, Postsecondary real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Education Administrators, Postsecondary (After Cost of Living)

Where does Education Administrators, Postsecondary salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$143,363
RPP 88.0
2. Wyoming
$139,238
RPP 91.9
$135,384
RPP 92.3
$131,193
RPP 98.0
$129,776
RPP 107.6
$127,863
RPP 89.4
7. Kansas
$122,244
RPP 90.0
$120,928
RPP 108.8
$120,307
RPP 91.0
10. Oklahoma
$119,177
RPP 88.8

Arkansas ranks #48 out of 51 states for Education Administrators, Postsecondary after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Education Administrators, Postsecondary take-home pay in Arkansas after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Education Administrators, Postsecondary in Arkansas after cost of living?

A Education Administrators, Postsecondary in Arkansas earns a median salary of $78,240 per year. After adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living (RPP=86.6), the real purchasing power is $90,346 — a +15.5% difference.

Is Arkansas expensive to live in?

Arkansas's cost of living is 13.4% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Arkansas is 86.6 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Education Administrators, Postsecondary in Arkansas: $78,240 x (100 / 86.6) = $90,346. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Education Administrators, Postsecondary in Arkansas financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Education Administrators, Postsecondary in Arkansas enjoys 15.5% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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