How much does a Pilot make in Arkansas?

BLS puts the average Pilot pay in Arkansas at $152,980 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in Arkansas, after federal taxes, FICA, and Arkansas state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $110,368 annually ($9,197/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Pilot in Arkansas?

On a $152,980 salary in Arkansas, your take-home pay is approximately $110,368/year or $9,197/month. Federal tax: $25,449. State tax: $5,460. FICA: $11,703.

Is $152,980 a good Pilot salary?

$152,980 is the BLS average Pilot pay in Arkansas, 47% below the US average of $288,650 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in Arkansas earn between $130,750 and $168,970.

How do Arkansas taxes affect Pilot salaries?

Arkansas levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $152,980 is $5,460. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 27.9%.

What are the career growth prospects for Pilots?

In Arkansas, the top 10% earn over $170,960 and the bottom 10% under $124,990 (BLS, May 2025). 4% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average). Related roles include: Airline Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Captain, First Officer, Corporate Pilot, Cargo Pilot.

How can a Pilot in Arkansas reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Transportation

Pilot Salary in Arkansas (2026)

Average Pilot pay in Arkansas

$152,980/year

≈ $74/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $130,750–$168,970

US average: $288,650

Source: BLS, May 2025 · Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers

After tax (single filer)

$110,368/year

$9,197/month · effective tax rate 27.85%

Federal $25,449
State $5,460
FICA $11,703
Take-home

Pay by role in Arkansas

Senior Major Airline Captain (Wide-Body)$365,000–$675,000+ TC
Senior Major Airline Captain (Narrow-Body)$265,000–$485,000+ TC
Senior Air Force C-130 Pilot (Little Rock AFB)$115,000–$185,000+ flight pay
Senior AR ANG Pilot (188th Wing Fort Smith)$95,000–$155,000+ flight pay
Senior Walmart Corporate Pilot$155,000–$285,000+
Senior Tyson / JB Hunt Corporate Pilot$145,000–$255,000+

See all 10 roles with notes

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$110,368
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$9,197
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$4,245
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$53/hr
Federal Tax	$25,449
State Tax	$5,460
FICA Taxes	$11,703
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	27.85%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Pilots earn the same — not even close

Arkansas's pilot market is anchored by Little Rock Air Force Base Jacksonville (~5K total workforce + the country's largest US Air Force C-130 base + the 19th Airlift Wing + the substantial 314th Airlift Wing AETC + Air Mobility Command C-130 sustainment + the C-130 Center of Excellence for the Air Force), the Arkansas Air National Guard 188th Wing Fort Smith (substantial F-16 → MQ-9 Reaper RPA transition unit post-2016), the substantial Walmart corporate aviation Bentonville (the substantial Walmart-fleet of corporate jets + helicopters supporting Walmart executive + supplier travel out of XNA Bentonville-XNA), Tyson Foods corporate aviation Springdale, JB Hunt Lowell corporate aviation, Northwest Arkansas National Airport XNA Bentonville (substantial commercial passenger operations + Walmart-driven corporate flight base), Clinton National Airport LIT Little Rock (~1.5M annual passengers commercial), Fort Smith Regional Airport FSM, plus AR substantial corporate flight departments at major Fortune 500 AR-HQ employers.

Senior Major Airline Captain (Wide-Body)

$365,000–$675,000+ TC

Senior 777/787/A350 Captain · ALPA scale + tenure · AR-based commuter via XNA + LIT

Senior Major Airline Captain (Narrow-Body)

$265,000–$485,000+ TC

Senior 737/A320 Captain at Delta + United + American + Southwest · XNA + MEM commuter base

Senior Air Force C-130 Pilot (Little Rock AFB)

$115,000–$185,000+ flight pay

C-130 Pilot at 19th Airlift Wing + 314th Airlift Wing Little Rock AFB · the country largest US C-130 base

Senior AR ANG Pilot (188th Wing Fort Smith)

$95,000–$155,000+ flight pay

MQ-9 Reaper RPA Pilot at 188th Wing Fort Smith · post-2016 F-16 → MQ-9 transition

Senior Walmart Corporate Pilot

$155,000–$285,000+

Walmart corporate aviation Bentonville · substantial Walmart-fleet corporate jet operations

Senior Tyson / JB Hunt Corporate Pilot

$145,000–$255,000+

Tyson Foods + JB Hunt + ArcBest + Dillard·s corporate aviation

Senior Regional Airline Captain

$165,000–$265,000+

Senior regional captain at Endeavor + Republic + SkyWest + PSA · XNA + LIT commuter base

Senior Flight Instructor / Check Airman

$95,000–$155,000+

CFI/CFII + Part 141 AR flight schools · ATP-CTP + Type Rating instructor · UA Aviation

Senior Air Medical / HEMS Pilot

$115,000–$165,000+ TC

Air Evac Lifeteam AR + Arkansas Children Angel One · AR HEMS + critical care transport

First Officer (Major Airline / Regional)

$95,000–$185,000+

FO at major airline XNA-based or regional · ATP + 1500 hr · transitioning to Captain track

Worth knowing: Little Rock Air Force Base is the country's most distinctive concentrated US C-130 base + the C-130 Center of Excellence for the Air Force + a feature most national pilot compensation surveys understate for AR. Little Rock AFB Jacksonville (~5K total workforce + the country's largest US Air Force C-130 base + the 19th Airlift Wing operating ~32 C-130J Super Hercules tactical airlift aircraft + the 314th Airlift Wing Air Education and Training Command operating C-130 pilot + loadmaster + navigator + flight engineer training as the only US C-130 training base + the substantial Little Rock AFB serves as the C-130 Center of Excellence for the Air Force + supporting C-130 sustainment + modernization across the Air Force C-130 fleet + the substantial Little Rock AFB Air Mobility Command + AETC + Combat Capability Test Squadron) supports substantial Air Force C-130 pilot operations. Senior Little Rock AFB C-130 pilots clear $115-185K+ flight pay. Arkansas Air National Guard 188th Wing Fort Smith (post-2016 F-16 Fighting Falcon → MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft transition + the substantial AR ANG RPA-only unit + ~1.2K Fort Smith ANG workforce) supports substantial AR ANG RPA pilot operations + the substantial post-USAF + post-USN AR pilot transitions to major airline + regional + Walmart + Tyson + JB Hunt corporate aviation. The substantial Walmart corporate aviation Bentonville (the substantial Walmart-fleet of corporate jets including Gulfstream + Bombardier + Cessna + the substantial Walmart helicopter operations + the substantial Walmart-Bentonville-XNA-based corporate flight department supporting Walmart executive + supplier travel + the substantial post-2010 Walmart corporate aviation expansion) supports substantial AR corporate pilot operations. Tyson + JB Hunt + ArcBest + Dillard's corporate aviation contribute. Northwest Arkansas National Airport XNA Bentonville (substantial commercial passenger operations + Walmart-driven business travel hub + Delta + American + United + Allegiant + Frontier commercial service) + Clinton National Airport LIT Little Rock supports substantial AR commercial pilot base + commuter operations. AR progressive 2-4.4% top phasing 3.9% by 2026 + AR RTW since 1947 + AR property tax ~0.61% + no state estate tax + lower AR cost of living anchor the AR pilot proposition. Pilot is an -exempt salaried profession + No Tax on Overtime federal deduction does not apply.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Pilots in Arkansas and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Arkansas 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers