Arkansas Employment Law — full calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Arkansas's minimum wage in 2026?

  Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 per hour as of 2026 — $3.75 above the federal FLSA floor of $7.25. This rate has been in effect since January 1, 2021 under the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act (A.C.A. § 11-4-210) and applies to employers with four or more employees.

• What is the minimum wage for tipped employees in Arkansas?

  Tipped employees in Arkansas must receive a direct cash base wage of at least $2.63 per hour (as of 2026), versus the federal floor of $2.13. Tips must bring total compensation to the $11.00 state minimum; if they fall short, the employer must supplement the difference.

• When must an employer issue a final paycheck in Arkansas?

  Arkansas A.C.A. § 11-4-405 requires employers to pay all final wages by the employee's next regular payday after separation — whether the employee was terminated, laid off, or voluntarily resigned. Arkansas has no same-day or 72-hour rule, unlike some other states.

• What is the penalty for a late final paycheck in Arkansas?

  If an employer fails to pay within 7 days of the next regular payday, it owes double the wages originally due. For example, if $3,000 in wages is owed and the employer misses the grace deadline, the total liability becomes $6,000 under A.C.A. § 11-4-405.

• Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Arkansas?

  Generally yes, under A.C.A. § 4-75-101 (effective 2015). A non-compete is enforceable if: (1) the employer has a protectable business interest (trade secrets, customer lists, confidential data), and (2) the restriction is limited in time and scope to what is necessary to protect that interest. A 2-year post-termination restriction is presumptively reasonable.

• Are physician non-compete agreements allowed in Arkansas?

  No. Effective July 2025, Act 232 (amending A.C.A. § 4-75-101) renders void any non-compete covenant that restricts a physician's right to practice within their licensed scope. This applies to MDs, DOs, and other licensed physicians in Arkansas, with no current statutory exceptions.

• Can an Arkansas court rewrite an overly broad non-compete?

  Yes. Unlike states that void the entire agreement when it is unreasonable, Arkansas courts may blue-pencil (reform) a non-compete to reduce the duration or narrow the geographic scope to what is reasonable, then enforce it under the reformed terms.

• Does Arkansas require overtime pay, and what are the rules?

  Yes. Arkansas follows the federal FLSA overtime standard: non-exempt employees earn 1.5× their regular rate for all hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. Arkansas has no daily overtime threshold or double-time rule — unlike California, there is no extra pay for working more than 8 hours in a single day.

• Are employers in Arkansas required to provide meal or rest breaks?

  No. Arkansas has no state law requiring meal periods or rest breaks for adult employees, mirroring the FLSA's silence on the issue. If an employer voluntarily provides short breaks of 20 minutes or less, those must be compensated as work time.

• Where can I find official Arkansas labor law information?

  The Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing (ADLL) publishes official guidance at labor.arkansas.gov. Statutory text is in the Arkansas Code Annotated (A.C.A.) Title 11 (wage/hour) and Title 4 (non-compete). For specific situations, consult a licensed Arkansas employment attorney.