What the numbers say
The median wage for Business Operations Specialists in Arkansas was $60,610 in 2024, about 26% below the national median of $82,135. That is a large gap. Most of it reflects Arkansas's cost of living, which sits well below the national average.
After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the gap narrows. Arkansas's cost-of-living index is 88.3, meaning goods and services cost roughly 12% less here than the national baseline. In purchasing terms, $60,610 in Arkansas goes about as far as $68,600 would in a median-cost state. That closes the headline difference by a third, though a real gap remains.
The spread between top and bottom earners is wide. At the 10th percentile, wages came in at $36,980. At the 90th, they reached $132,350. Top earners in this occupation make about 3.6 times what those at the entry level make. That spread shows up in part because "Business Operations Specialists" covers a broad range of roles, from compliance coordinators to operations analysts, and experience and specialization shift pay significantly.
The average wage of $73,090 runs well above the median of $60,610. A smaller group of higher-paid specialists pulls the average up, so the median is the more useful number for anyone benchmarking a typical role.
BLS projects average growth for this occupation nationally through 2034, at 3% over the decade. Arkansas employed about 8,760 people in this category in 2024.
Salary distribution
Where Arkansas business operations specialists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $44,950 and $85,550, with a median of $60,610.
Business Operations Specialists pay by experience level in Arkansas
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Arkansas over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
Less than 5 years
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
Common tasks (O*NET)
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+3.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Business Operations Specialists in Arkansas?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Business Operations Specialists in Arkansas is $60,610.
- How does Arkansas compare to the national median for Business Operations Specialists?
- The Arkansas median is -26.2% versus the BLS national figure of $82,135.
- What is the salary range for Business Operations Specialists in Arkansas?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $36,980 and the 90th-percentile at $132,350, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Business Operations Specialists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 3.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Business Operations Specialists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.