Arkansas Minimum Wage 2026
Current minimum wage, scheduled increases, tipped worker rules, and political context for Arkansas’s wage policy in 2026.
$11.00
Current Minimum Wage
$11.00
Projected 2026 Rate
$2.63
Tipped Worker Rate
None (passed $11 via 2018 initiative)
Scheduled Increases
Minimum Wage Overview
Arkansas voters approved Issue 5 in 2018, raising the minimum wage to $11 by 2021. No further increases are scheduled. Arkansas minimum wage exceeds the federal floor but remains low nationally.
Wage Policy Details
| Policy | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Minimum Wage | $11.00/hour |
| Tipped Worker Minimum | $2.63/hour |
| Scheduled Increases | None (passed $11 via 2018 initiative) |
| Projected 2026 Rate | $11.00/hour |
| Legislative Source | Issue 5 (2018 ballot) |
| Passed by Ballot Initiative | 2018 |
Political Context
The 2018 ballot initiative passed with 68% of the vote, showing strong bipartisan voter support even in a deeply Republican state. This reflects the gap between Republican legislator opposition and voter support for minimum wage increases.