Let’s be honest: most people still think Arkansas is just chickens, Walmart trucks, and Razorback football. In 2025 that stereotype is getting wrecked. The state’s quietly become one of the best-kept secrets for anyone with a college degree who wants a real paycheck, a house they can actually afford, and weekends on the lake instead of stuck in traffic. And, there are great Arkansas jobs out there. Northwest Arkansas (Bentonville, Rogers, Fayetteville) is basically the new Austin, Little Rock is a legit government and health hub, and even Jonesboro and Fort Smith are punching above their weight. Here are the six great Arkansas jobs that keep blowing up my group chats from friends who moved here and now own boats.

1. Software Engineer / Data Engineer

Average pay: $100k–$145k (yes, really)

Walmart’s Bentonville HQ, Tyson Foods, and J.B. Hunt turned Northwest Arkansas into “Silicon Holler.” They’re paying Bay-Area money for engineers who can handle petabyte-scale supply-chain data or build the next Sam’s Club app. A CS, data science, or even math degree is plenty; they care way more that you can ship code than where you went to school.

Why it’s insane right now: Walmart alone plans to hire another 3,000 tech roles in the next two years. You’ll make six figures, buy a 4-bedroom on five acres for $400k, and still have money left for a lake house.

Hot spots: Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale.

Big names dropping offers: Walmart Global Tech, Tyson, JB Hunt, Acxiom (now part of IPG).

Frank L. who moved from Seattle last year: “I took a 10% pay cut on paper and doubled my take-home because there’s no state income tax on the first chunk and my mortgage is half what it was.”

2. Registered Nurse (BSN preferred)

Average pay: $75k–$105k + huge sign-on bonuses

UAMS in Little Rock, Washington Regional in Fayetteville, and Baptist Health are in a full-on bidding war for nurses. Some rural hospitals are tossing $30k–$40k just to get you to say yes.

Why it’s stupid money: Arkansas has some of the worst nurse-to-patient ratios in the country, so they’re paying permanent staff what travelers used to make. There provide a variety of great Arkansas jobs and opportunities.

Best bets: Arkansas Children’s (Little Rock), Mercy in Rogers, or the new VA in Fayetteville.

3. Supply Chain Analyst

Average pay: $70k–$100k

You’re literally sitting in the middle of America’s retail and food supply chain. Walmart, Tyson, Simmons, and Simmons Foods need people who can make pallets move cheaper and faster. A business, logistics, or industrial-engineering degree is perfect and offer many great Arkansas jobs.

Why it’s hot: Walmart’s new “next-gen” fulfillment centers and Tyson’s automation push mean fresh projects and quick promotions.

Go-to employers: Walmart Supply Chain, JB Hunt, Tyson Foods, or the dozens of 3PLs in Lowell and Springdale.

4. Financial Analyst (especially ag or retail focus)

Average pay: $70k–$100k

Bentonville is home to more Fortune 500 finance teams than most people realize. You’ll forecast for Walmart vendor margins or Tyson commodity costs—real money on the line, real impact.

Why it’s hot: Starting pay beats most Midwest cities, and the CFA actually gets you real raises here, not just a plaque.

Big players: Walmart, Tyson, Simmons Bank, Arvest, Simmons Foods finance teams.

5. Civil / Environmental Engineer

Average pay: $80k–$115k

All those new warehouses, data centers, and housing developments need roads, water systems, and stormwater plans. Plus Northwest Arkansas is growing so fast the infrastructure can’t keep up—great for job security.

Why it’s hot: Garver, Crafton Tull, and CEI Engineering are hiring like crazy, and the state just passed a big infrastructure bond.

Bonus: Lots of these great Arkansas jobs qualify for PSLF if you go public-sector.

6. High School Teacher (Math, Science, SpEd)

Average pay: $55k–$80k + loan forgiveness & housing help

NWA school districts (Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, Fayetteville) are offering $10k–$20k signing bonuses and will help you buy a house if you teach high-need subjects. Little Rock and Jonesboro aren’t far behind.

Why it’s surprisingly great: Smaller class sizes than most states, kids who still call you “ma’am/sir,” and you’re off by 3:30 with actual summers to float the Buffalo River. Sounds like some pretty great Arkansas jobs.

How to Actually Land One of These Great Arkansas Jobs

• Put “open to relocation to Northwest Arkansas” or “willing to move to NWA” in your LinkedIn headline—recruiters search that phrase daily.
• Go to the Walmart Tech Open House or the NWA Tech Summit; half the state’s hiring managers show up eating BBQ.
• Use careersnwa.com but the real action is the local “Coffee with Recruiters” events in Bentonville and the NWA Talent Network Slack.
• Tailor your resume to show dollars saved or revenue made—Arkansas bosses love bottom-line impact more than buzzwords.

Bottom line? You can make coastal money, live on Midwest prices, and still have time to call the Hogs on Saturday. I know way too many people who moved here “for two years” in 2020 and just closed on their second house. Great Arkansas jobs are real, they’re growing, and they don’t require selling your soul to afford rent.

Your move. Get started on your degree today.