Salary & Cost of Living in Hot Springs, AR
Hot Springs, AR: $29,791 median salary, cost of living index 82.8, $11.00/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$29,791
$14/hr
Cost of Living
82.8
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$11.00
per hour
Unemployment
4%
rate
Hot Springs, AR Overview
Population
38,697
Median Salary
$29,791
Average Salary
$33,366
Avg Commute
18 min
Median Home Price
$185,000
Median Rent
$759/mo
Job Growth
+2.4%
Sales Tax
6.5%
Hot Springs is located in Arkansas with a population of 38,697. The median household salary is $29,791 per year ($14/hour), which is $29,593 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 18 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.4%.
Hot Springs Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Hot Springs, AR based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $29,791 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 | $18,470 | $8.88/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $29,791 | $14.32/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $42,303 | $20.33/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $53,028 | $25.49/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.
Hot Springs Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Hot Springs, AR, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$24,665
$2,055.40/month · $948.64/biweekly · Effective Rate: 17.2%
Gross Pay
$29,791
Federal Tax
-$1,536
State Tax
-$1,311
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,279
Net Pay
$24,665
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,482.58 | $29,791.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$128.04 | -$1,536.42 |
| Arkansas State Tax (4.4%) | -$109.23 | -$1,310.80 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$153.92 | -$1,847.04 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$36.00 | -$431.97 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,055.40 | $24,664.76 |
Salary Comparison: Hot Springs vs Other Cities
See how Hot Springs's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs, AR | $29,791 | 82.8 | $35,979 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $29,790 | 84.8 | $35,130 |
| Alexandria, LA | $29,799 | 86.2 | $34,570 |
| Monroe, LA | $29,800 | 84.5 | $35,266 |
| Anderson, IN | $29,808 | 78.2 | $38,118 |
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 Hot Springs
Hot Springs's cost of living index is 82.8 (national average = 100). Living in Hot Springs is 17.200000000000003% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$185,000
Median Monthly Rent
$759
Annual Rent Cost
$9,108
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $24,665 annual take-home pay in Hot Springs has the purchasing power of approximately $29,788 in an average-cost US area. Your $29,791 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Hot Springs
Hot Springs's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $29,791.
Salary Tips for Hot Springs Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Hot Springs has a cost of living 17.200000000000003% below the national average. A salary of $29,791 here has the purchasing power of about $35,979 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Hot Springs's top industries include Agriculture, Retail, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $29,791 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 Hot Springs salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Hot Springs-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 Hot Springs indexed at 82.8.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Hot Springs's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $29,791 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 Hot Springs: 4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Agriculture, Retail, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.4% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Arkansas.
- Housing context: median home price $185,000, median rent $759/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Hot Springs, AR:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Hot Springs unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Hot Springs 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. Hot Springs'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 Hot Springs, AR?
The median salary in Hot Springs, AR is $29,791 per year, or $14 per hour. The average salary is $33,366. This is $29,593 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Hot Springs, AR?
Hot Springs's cost of living index is 82.8 (national average = 100), meaning it is 17.200000000000003% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $185,000 and the median monthly rent is $759.
What are the best industries in Hot Springs?
The top industries in Hot Springs, AR include Agriculture, Retail, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 2.4% and an unemployment rate of 4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $29,791.
How does Hot Springs's salary compare to other cities?
Hot Springs's median salary of $29,791 is 49.8% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 82.8), the real purchasing power is approximately $35,979.
What is the minimum wage in Hot Springs, AR?
The minimum wage in Hot Springs, 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.