Salary & Cost of Living in Benton, AR
Benton, AR: $35,236 median salary, cost of living index 79.5, $11.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$35,236
$17/hr
Cost of Living
79.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$11.00
per hour
Unemployment
3.4%
rate
Benton, AR Overview
Population
36,820
Median Salary
$35,236
Average Salary
$39,464
Avg Commute
21 min
Median Home Price
$165,000
Median Rent
$678/mo
Job Growth
+2.7%
Sales Tax
6.5%
Benton is located in Arkansas with a population of 36,820. The median household salary is $35,236 per year ($17/hour), which is $24,148 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 21 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.7%.
Benton Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Benton, AR based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $35,236 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $21,846 | $10.50/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $35,236 | $16.94/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $50,035 | $24.05/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $62,720 | $30.15/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Benton Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Benton, AR, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$28,800
$2,400.02/month · $1,107.70/biweekly · Effective Rate: 18.3%
Gross Pay
$35,236
Federal Tax
-$2,190
State Tax
-$1,550
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,696
Net Pay
$28,800
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,936.33 | $35,236.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$182.48 | -$2,189.82 |
| Arkansas State Tax (4.4%) | -$129.20 | -$1,550.38 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$182.05 | -$2,184.63 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$42.58 | -$510.92 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,400.02 | $28,800.24 |
Salary Comparison: Benton vs Other Cities
See how Benton's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton, AR | $35,236 | 79.5 | $44,322 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Oxford, MS | $35,735 | 92.5 | $38,632 |
| Hinesville, GA | $35,742 | 83.5 | $42,805 |
| Butte, MT | $35,744 | 88.5 | $40,389 |
| Phenix City, AL | $35,746 | 82.8 | $43,171 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Benton
Benton's cost of living index is 79.5 (national average = 100). Living in Benton is 20.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$165,000
Median Monthly Rent
$678
Annual Rent Cost
$8,136
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $28,800 annual take-home pay in Benton has the purchasing power of approximately $36,227 in an average-cost US area. Your $35,236 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Benton
Benton's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $35,236.
Salary Tips for Benton Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Benton has a cost of living 20.5% below the national average. A salary of $35,236 here has the purchasing power of about $44,322 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Benton's top industries include Agriculture, Retail, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $35,236 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Benton salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Benton-AR metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Benton indexed at 79.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Benton's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $35,236 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Arkansas state income tax (4.4%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.5%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Benton: 3.4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Agriculture, Retail, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.7% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Arkansas.
- Housing context: median home price $165,000, median rent $678/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Benton, AR:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Benton unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Benton QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Arkansas — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Benton's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Arkansas labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Benton, AR?
The median salary in Benton, AR is $35,236 per year, or $17 per hour. The average salary is $39,464. This is $24,148 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Benton, AR?
Benton's cost of living index is 79.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 20.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $165,000 and the median monthly rent is $678.
What are the best industries in Benton?
The top industries in Benton, AR include Agriculture, Retail, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 2.7% and an unemployment rate of 3.4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $35,236.
How does Benton's salary compare to other cities?
Benton's median salary of $35,236 is 40.7% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 79.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $44,322.
What is the minimum wage in Benton, AR?
The minimum wage in Benton, AR is $11.00 per hour. This equals approximately $22,880 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $3.75 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.