A single filer earning $30,000 in Arkansas takes home about $25,328 a year ($2,111 a month, $974 biweekly) in 2026, after $1,420 federal tax, $2,295 Social Security and Medicare, and $957 Arkansas income tax.
#43 of 51for take-home at this pay
Where the money goes
Breakdown
| Yearly | Monthly | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross pay | $30,000 | $2,500 |
| Federal income tax | $1,420 | $118 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | $1,860 | $155 |
| Medicare | $435 | $36 |
| Arkansas income tax | $957 | $80 |
| Take-home | $25,328 | $2,111 |
| Federal marginal rate | 12% | |
| Arkansas marginal rate | 3.90% |
Same pay in other states
Highest take-home at this pay: Alaska. Middle: Vermont. Lowest: Oregon.
Your tax bracket at this pay
Your federal taxable income is about $13,900 (after the $16,100 standard deduction), which puts the top slice of your pay in the 12% bracket ($12,400 to $50,400). You have about $36,500 of room before the next dollar is taxed at 22%. Only that top slice is taxed at 12%: your average federal rate is 4.7%, and all taxes together (federal, FICA, state) take 15.6% of gross pay. A $1,000 raise would add about $764 to your take-home.
| Federal bracket | Your income in it | Tax |
|---|---|---|
| 10% on $0–$12,400 | $12,400 | $1,240 |
| 12% on $12,400–$50,400 | $1,500 | $180 |
| Rate | Federal | Combined with state and FICA |
|---|---|---|
| Marginal (next dollar) | 12% | 23.5% |
| Effective (average) | 4.7% | 15.6% |
Compared with the Arkansas median
$30,000 is 49% of the Arkansas median household income of $60,773 (Census ACS 2020–2024 median; households can have more than one earner, so a single salary is not directly comparable).
Affordability snapshot
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Rent budget (30% of gross) | $750/mo |
| Home price at 30% of gross (10% down) | $107,000 |
| Arkansas median home value | $188,000 (Census 2020–2024) |
Rule of thumb only: housing at 30% of gross monthly pay. Home price assumes a 30-year fixed at the Freddie Mac average of 7.40% (week of 2026-10-15), 10% down, the Arkansas median effective property tax rate and about 0.35% a year for insurance. Lenders also weigh debts, credit and PMI.
401(k) and HSA effect
| Contribution | Saved | Take-home cut | Tax saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6% to a 401(k) ($1,800/yr) | $1,800 | $1,520 | $280 |
| Max HSA, self-only ($4,400, via payroll) | $4,400 | $3,422 | $978 |
Pre-tax 401(k) deferrals cut federal and Arkansas income tax but not Social Security or Medicare; payroll HSA contributions also skip FICA. 2026 limits: 401(k) $24,500 (under 50), HSA $4,400 self-only (IRS). Some states tax HSA contributions; this estimate assumes they follow federal rules.
What applies at this income
- You are under the 2026 Roth IRA income limit for single filers ($153,000 of modified AGI), so you can contribute the full amount.
- Maxing out a 401(k) ($24,500) would take more than half your gross pay at this level, so most people here contribute a percentage instead.
Arkansas jobs that typically pay about $30,000
$30,000 is above the median pay of 17 of the 100 common occupations we track in Arkansas (BLS OEWS, May 2025). These have a Arkansas median between $27,500 and $32,500:
| Occupation | Arkansas median | vs this pay |
|---|---|---|
| Dishwashers | $27,540 | −$2,460 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $27,660 | −$2,340 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $27,660 | −$2,340 |
| Cashiers | $27,670 | −$2,330 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,670 | −$2,330 |
| Fast Food Cooks | $27,710 | −$2,290 |
| Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | $27,960 | −$2,040 |
| Childcare Workers | $28,450 | −$1,550 |
| Teaching Assistants | $28,790 | −$1,210 |
| Short-Term Substitute Teachers | $29,230 | −$770 |
Where $30,000 lands inside other Arkansas jobs
for 10, it is entry-level pay (10th–25th percentile).
| Occupation | Percentile | Arkansas pay at that percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guards | 25th | $29,750 |
| Computer Systems Analysts | 10th | $29,750 |
| School Bus Drivers | 25th | $29,980 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 25th | $30,020 |
| Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers | 25th | $30,140 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 10th | $30,150 |
| Nursing Assistants | 25th | $30,200 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 25th | $30,280 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | 25th | $30,290 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | 10th | $30,320 |
Previous and next pay level
Related
Single filer, W-2 wages only; 2026 IRS brackets and $16,100 standard deduction, FICA (Social Security to $184,500, Medicare +0.9% over $200,000) and state rules per the Tax Foundation (Jan 1, 2026). Local taxes and payroll deductions are excluded. Sources: IRS, SSA, Tax Foundation. Not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
How much is $30,000 after taxes in Arkansas?
A single filer earning $30,000 in Arkansas takes home about $25,328 a year ($2,111 a month, $974 biweekly) in 2026, after $1,420 federal tax, $2,295 Social Security and Medicare, and $957 Arkansas income tax.
How much is a $30,000 salary per month after taxes in Arkansas?
About $2,111 a month, or $974 per biweekly paycheck.
How much state tax do I pay on $30,000 in Arkansas?
About $957 a year (marginal rate 3.90%).