2017 Arkansas Minimum Wage
The 2017 Arkansas Minimum Wage is $8.50.
Effective 2017-01-01Source: Administrative Regulations of the Labor Standards Division of the Arkansas Department of Labor (Arkansas Department of Labor)Verified 2026-08-31
Who it applies to
Employees of Arkansas employers covered by the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act
What changed this year, and why
The Arkansas minimum wage rate for 2017 is $8.50 per hour.
Common questions
- What is the Arkansas minimum wage?
- The Arkansas minimum wage is $8.50 per hour.
- Which employers does the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act cover?
- The Act covers employers with four or more employees. An employer covered by both the Act and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the higher of the two minimum wages.
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
Workers in Arkansas with questions about the minimum wage, overtime, or other wage and hour issues should contact the Labor Standards Division of the Arkansas Department of Labor. The division is located at 10421 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, and can be reached by telephone at (501) 682-4500. The division's website at http://www.arkansas.gov/labor/ provides forms, written policies, and other resources. An employee who believes an employer has violated the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act may file a claim with the Director on a form or process approved by the division. The division investigates each claim and issues a Notice of Assessment if a violation is found, or a letter advising the parties that no violation was found. The name of any employee identified in a claim is kept confidential until the director issues a Notice of Assessment. Arkansas workers can also obtain a list of officials who handle licensing questions and complaints from the agency's office or website.
The mailing address and telephone number for the Labor Standards Division is: Labor Standards Division Arkansas Department of Labor 10421 West Markham Street Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 682-4500
Administrative Regulations of the Labor Standards Division of the Arkansas Department of Labor (Arkansas Department of Labor)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
In Arkansas, employers who provide board, lodging, or other facilities to employees may deduct the reasonable cost of those items from the employee's wages, but only if the deduction does not reduce the employee's pay below the state minimum wage of $8.50 per hour. The employer must maintain records substantiating the cost of furnishing board, lodging, or other facilities. This rule applies when employers furnish meals or housing as part of the employment arrangement. The deduction must reflect the actual reasonable cost to the employer, not an arbitrary amount. Arkansas employers cannot use board or lodging deductions to avoid paying the full minimum wage; the employee must still receive at least $8.50 per hour after accounting for the value of meals or housing provided. If the reasonable cost of board and lodging is deducted, the employer must keep documentation showing what was actually furnished and its cost. Workers in Arkansas who believe their employer has made improper deductions may file a wage claim with the Arkansas Department of Labor.
Employees receiving board, lodging or other facilities. In ad- dition to other records required by this Rule, an employer who makes a deduc- tion from the wages of employees for board, lodging, or other facilities pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 11-4-213 shall maintain and preserve records substantiating the cost of furnishing the
Administrative Regulations of the Labor Standards Division of the Arkansas Department of Labor (Arkansas Department of Labor)
What an employer may deduct from your pay
Arkansas employers may not make deductions that reduce an employee's pay below the state minimum wage of $8.50 per hour, except for deductions authorized by the Rules, deductions authorized or required by law, and deductions that are for the employee's benefit and authorized by the employee in writing. This means an employer cannot deduct the cost of spoilage, breakage, cash register shortages, or inventory losses from an employee's wages if doing so would bring the employee below $8.50 per hour. Similarly, fines or penalties for lateness, misconduct, or quitting without notice cannot reduce wages below the minimum wage floor. Deductions required by law, such as tax withholdings, are always permitted. For other deductions, such as repayments of advances or purchases of uniforms, the employee must provide written authorization and the deduction must be for the employee's benefit. Arkansas workers who believe their employer has made improper deductions that reduced their pay below the minimum wage may file a claim with the Arkansas Department of Labor to recover the unpaid wages.
An employer may not make deductions from the minimum wage and overtime wages required by Ark. Code Ann. §§ 11-4-210 and -211 except those authorized by the Rules, deductions authorized or required by law, and deductions not otherwise prohibited which are for the employee’s benefit and authorized by the employee in writing.
Administrative Regulations of the Labor Standards Division of the Arkansas Department of Labor (Arkansas Department of Labor)
How the rate is adjusted each year, and who announces it
Arkansas does not have an automatic annual inflation adjustment to its minimum wage. Instead, the state minimum wage rate was set by the Arkansas Minimum Wage Initiative, Issue 5, which established fixed scheduled increases: $7.50 per hour effective January 1, 2015; $8.00 per hour effective January 1, 2016; and $8.50 per hour effective January 1, 2017. Unlike some states that tie their minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index for automatic annual increases, Arkansas requires new legislation or a voter initiative to change the rate after the scheduled increases take effect. Once the rate reached $8.50 per hour in 2017, it remained at that level unless further action was taken by the state legislature or voters. Arkansas employers and workers should monitor official announcements from the Arkansas Department of Labor for any future changes to the minimum wage rate, as adjustments are not automatic and must be enacted through the legislative or initiative process.
The Arkansas Minimum Wage Initiative, Issue 5, was approved by the voters at the general election on November 4,2014. It increased the state minimum wage rate to $7.50 per hour effective January 1, 2015. It will increase to $8.00 per hour effective January 1, 2016; and to $8.50 per hour effective January 1,2017.
Administrative Regulations of the Labor Standards Division of the Arkansas Department of Labor (Arkansas Department of Labor)
How each figure was verified
Each number below was read from a stored copy of the document named beside it, and checked to occur word for word in the quoted sentence. The digest is of that stored text.
Administrative Regulations of the Labor Standards Division of the Arkansas Department of Labor (Arkansas Department of Labor)
- Hourly
and to $8.50 per hour effective January 1,2017.
Other years
Every Arkansas Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state