Payroll Cost per Employee in Arkansas
2026 estimates — total employer cost including taxes and benefits
Min wage in Arkansas: $7.25–$15.00/hr (check current state rate) | SUTA: ~2.1% on wages (varies)
Calculate Total Payroll Cost in Arkansas
Payroll Tax Breakdown — Arkansas 2026
| Tax / Cost | Rate / Rule | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | Per agreement | $45,650 |
| Social Security (employer) | 6.2% on first $168,600 | $2,830 |
| Medicare (employer) | 1.45% of all wages | $662 |
| FUTA (federal unemployment) | 0.6% on first $7,000 | $42 |
| Arkansas SUTA | ~2.1% on wages (varies) | $375 |
| Benefits (health, 401k, etc) | ~18% of salary (typical) | $8,217 |
| Total Employer Cost | $58,154 | |
Based on $45,650 median salary in Arkansas. SUTA rate shown is approximate average — actual rate depends on claims history. Additional: State-specific payroll taxes — verify with your state labor department.
Payroll Requirements in Arkansas
1. Arkansas Payroll Tax & Compliance Overview
Arkansas payroll costs are below the national average. Key employer requirements: state income tax withholding (Low or none), state unemployment insurance (SUTA: ~2.1% on wages (varies)), plus the standard federal obligations (FICA 7.65%, FUTA up to $420/employee). State-specific payroll taxes — verify with your state labor department.
2. Top Tips for Arkansas Employers
Arkansas employers: use payroll software like Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, or Rippling to automate state-specific tax calculations. These typically cost $40–$150/month for small businesses — far less than the penalty risk of manual payroll errors. Set up pay-as-you-go workers' comp tied to each payroll run to eliminate audit surprises.
3. Key Arkansas Payroll Facts
- Minimum wage: $7.25–$15.00/hr (check current state rate)
- State income tax: Low or none
- State unemployment (SUTA): ~2.1% on wages (varies)
- Additional: State-specific payroll taxes — verify with your state labor department
Run Arkansas Payroll Automatically
Automated payroll software handles Arkansas tax calculations, filings, and W-2s for $40–$150/month.
Arkansas Payroll Summary
- →Avg salary: $45,650/yr
- →Total cost: $58,154/yr
- →Overhead rate: ~27% above salary
- →Min wage: $7.25–$15.00/hr (check current state rate)
- →State income tax: Low or none