Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Tax Preparers Salary in Arkansas: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Tax Preparers 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
$35,040
Median annual (2025)
+15.5%
Real Purchasing Power
$40,461
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 Tax Preparers earning $35,040 in Arkansas has the equivalent purchasing power of $40,461 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) $28,990 $33,475 +$4,485
25th Percentile (P25) $29,530 $34,099 +$4,569
Median (P50) $35,040 $40,461 +$5,421
75th Percentile (P75) $41,600 $48,036 +$6,436
90th Percentile (P90) $66,420 $76,697 +$10,277
Key Insight

A Tax Preparers in Arkansas earns $35,040 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 15% further — like earning $40,461 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 Tax Preparers, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+15.5%

Adjusting $35,040 for Arkansas's cost of living yields $40,462 — 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

#42 / 48

Arkansas ranks #42 of 48 — bottom quartile for Tax Preparers real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Tax Preparers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Tax Preparers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Utah
$70,603
RPP 94.5
2. Montana
$69,856
RPP 90.3
$68,913
RPP 91.1
$66,775
RPP 107.6
$64,329
RPP 88.7
$63,690
RPP 96.2
7. Wyoming
$63,101
RPP 91.9
$62,248
RPP 112.5
9. Nevada
$62,240
RPP 96.4
10. Colorado
$61,212
RPP 102.3

Arkansas ranks #42 out of 48 states for Tax Preparers after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Tax Preparers take-home pay in Arkansas after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Tax Preparers in Arkansas after cost of living?

A Tax Preparers in Arkansas earns a median salary of $35,040 per year. After adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living (RPP=86.6), the real purchasing power is $40,461 — 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 Tax Preparers in Arkansas: $35,040 x (100 / 86.6) = $40,461. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Tax Preparers in Arkansas financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Tax Preparers 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.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Related Salary Pages

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy