Analysis based on U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics data | December 19, 2025
Management, retail operations, and professional services dominate among Northwest Arkansas’s top earners in a region experiencing explosive wage growth driven by Walmart’s global headquarters and expanding corporate ecosystem.
Each year, the U.S. Census Bureau and Bureau of Labor Statistics track employment, occupations and wages across American metros. An analysis of that data reveals a remarkable story in Northwest Arkansas: a mid-sized region outpacing much of the nation in wage growth and economic opportunity.
Up 13.4% from 2024 — the #1 county for wage growth among America’s largest 369 counties
The data underscores what economists are now calling the “Northwest Arkansas phenomenon”: a region where Fortune 500 headquarters, rapid population growth, and aggressive economic development are transforming wage structures faster than almost anywhere else in America.
The Wage Growth Story
Benton County—home to Bentonville and Walmart’s global headquarters—has emerged as a national leader in wage growth:
| County | Q1 2025 Weekly Wage | Annual Equivalent | YOY Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton County | $2,296 | $119,392 | +13.4% |
| Washington County | $1,136 | $59,072 | +2.6% |
| Pulaski County (Little Rock) | $1,289 | $67,028 | +3.0% |
| National Average | $1,589 | $82,628 | +4.5% |
💡 Key Finding:
Benton County’s average weekly wage of $2,296 is 45% above the national average and growing at nearly triple the national rate. Professional and business services saw wage gains of 28.9% in 2024, the largest contributor to Benton’s explosive growth.
Population Surge
The region’s economic success is attracting workers from across the country:
(+14,000 from 2023)
since 2020
inbound movers (2024)
Top-Paying Occupational Groups
According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2024, the highest-paying major occupational categories in the region include:
| Occupation Category | Mean Annual Wage (2024) | % of Employment |
|---|---|---|
| ⚖️ Legal | $134,493 | 0.5% |
| 💼 Management | $127,026 | 7.3% |
| 💻 Computer and Mathematical | $95,805 | 3.6% |
| 🏥 Healthcare Practitioners | $93,413 | 5.4% |
| 📊 Business and Financial Operations | $86,715 | 7.3% |
The Economic Anchors
Northwest Arkansas’s economy centers on several major pillars:
🏢 Corporate Headquarters
- Walmart — World’s largest retailer, headquartered in Bentonville with significant vendor and supplier ecosystem
- J.B. Hunt Transport Services — Major logistics company headquarters in Lowell
- Tyson Foods — Food processing giant based in Springdale
💡 Technology and Professional Services
The region’s tech sector is growing rapidly, supporting retail innovation, supply chain optimization, and business intelligence:
(vs. 3.4% nationally)
(leads all peers)
(Bentonville alone)
($221.5M in 2023)
Regional Economic Performance
The 2025 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report highlights remarkable growth metrics:
2024 Economic Indicators (Mid-2023 to Mid-2024)
(+2.6%, tied #1 nationally)
(+1.4%)
(+4.5%)
(+5.3%)
📈 Business Formation
The region saw explosive business creation in 2024-2025:
| Region | Establishments (2025) | Growth Rate | Visual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton County | 9,049 | +10.1% YOY |
|
| Washington County | 7,442 | +7.6% YOY |
|
| Arkansas Overall | 109,356 | +7.9% YOY |
|
Comparison to National Markets
Northwest Arkansas’s per capita income continues to outpace most mid-sized metros:
Ahead of major metros including:
- Raleigh, NC
- Portland, OR
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Charlotte, NC
- Phoenix, AZ
The Affordability Paradox
While wages are rising rapidly, housing costs remain well below coastal markets:
| City | Median Property Value (2023) | Homeownership Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 🏘️ Bentonville | $370,700 | 50.4% |
| 🏘️ Fayetteville | $322,500 | 41.9% |
| 🏘️ NWA Metro Overall | $273,400 | 62.3% |
Despite rising costs, the region maintains an attractive value proposition for professionals earning high salaries while enjoying lower living costs than San Francisco, Seattle, or Austin.
Educational and Healthcare Growth
🎓 Education
While the region trails peers (38% hold bachelor’s degrees vs. nearly 50% in comparison metros), it’s improving:
- University of Arkansas: 6,937 degrees (2023)
- NWACC: 2,155 degrees
- Educational Services: 7,124 jobs in Fayetteville
🏥 Healthcare
Healthcare practitioners earning strong salaries:
- Average wage: $93,413 annually
- Health Care & Social Assistance: 8,012 jobs in Fayetteville
- Largest employment sector in Fayetteville
Challenges and Opportunities
The 2025 regional report identifies key challenges alongside growth:
Wastewater systems need consistent long-term investment
Bachelor’s degree attainment lags peer regions
Rose to 11% in 2024 (still below Arkansas’s 15.5%)
Rising costs creating pressure despite lower COL than coastal markets
Looking Forward
Northwest Arkansas continues to position itself as a major growth market:
Growth Drivers
“Higher wages help attract talented workers to companies helping both our businesses and our workforce. Wage growth reflects the increased economic activity in Arkansas, and this trend is encouraging for our state’s future.”
— Clint O’Neal, Arkansas Economic Development Commission Director
The Bottom Line
Northwest Arkansas has emerged as an unexpected economic powerhouse. With Benton County leading the nation in wage growth, the region attracting thousands of new residents annually, and businesses forming at record rates, the area is defying traditional expectations about mid-sized metros.
While challenges remain, particularly in education, infrastructure, and managing rapid growth, the combination of Fortune 500 headquarters, lower cost of living, quality of life improvements, and aggressive economic development has created a unique value proposition attracting high-wage workers from across the country.
As one site-selection consultant noted in the 2025 regional report, Northwest Arkansas has strong regional collaboration, but “most people don’t know where Arkansas is on the map.”
That may be changing as word spreads about a region where wages are rising faster than almost anywhere else in America.
📊 About This Analysis
Data Sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW), Q1 2025 and Q2 2025
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis per capita income data, 2023
- U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 2023 estimates
- University of Arkansas Center for Business and Economic Research, 2025 State of the Northwest Arkansas Region Report
- U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates, 2024
Geographic Coverage:
The Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR Metropolitan Statistical Area includes Benton County, Madison County, and Washington County, encompassing the cities of Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, Springdale, and surrounding communities.
Note on Timing:
This analysis uses the most recent data available as of December 2025. Wage data is from Q1-Q2 2025, occupational wage estimates are from May 2024, and comprehensive per capita income data is from 2023 (most recent BEA release). Some data sources update on different schedules.
Wage Calculations:
Annual wages are calculated from weekly wages using 52 weeks per year, or from hourly wages using standard 2,080 work hours per year (40 hours/week × 52 weeks). Actual annual compensation may vary based on overtime, bonuses, and other factors not captured in base wage statistics.
For the latest employment and wage data, visit:
Bureau of Labor Statistics – Arkansas County Employment and Wages
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