Training and Development Specialists Salary
In Arkansas, training and development specialists earn $52,290 at the median, or about $25.14 an hour. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $97K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.64), which stretches that salary to about $59,665 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,021/month, or 29.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Arkansas. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $52K get you in Arkansas?
About training and development specialists
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What this looks like in Arkansas
Pay for training and development specialists in Arkansas runs about 25% below the U.S. median of $69K. Rent runs $1,021/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 87.64 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 12% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Arkansas
Entry-level training and development specialists (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $52K. Top earners bring in $97K or more, a $67K spread from bottom to top.
Training and Development Specialists salary by metro in Arkansas
5 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | $60K | +14% | 890 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | $52K | +0% | 1,070 |
| Fort Smith | $45K | -13% | 220 |
| Hot Springs | $45K | -14% | 100 |
| Jonesboro | $45K | -15% | 120 |
Compare to other states
Track training and development specialists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Arkansas numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a training and development specialist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Arkansas?
Yes — at the median salary of $52K, rent takes 29% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,021/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for training and development specialists in Arkansas?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new training and development specialists typically earn — is $29K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,769/month. At HUD’s $1,021/month FMR, rent would take 58% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is training and development specialist a high-paying job in Arkansas?
Local pay runs 25% below the national median — $52K here vs. $69K nationally. Cost of living is 12% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does Arkansas compare to the national average for training and development specialists?
Arkansas pays $52K median vs. the U.S. average of $69K — that’s -25%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 87.64), the purchasing-power equivalent is $60K — below the national median.
How much do training and development specialists make in Arkansas?
The median is $52,290 a year, that works out to about $25 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,490, and experienced training and development specialists can clear $96,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $52K enough to live in Arkansas?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,515/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,021/month, which eats 29% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a training and development specialists salary go in Arkansas?
Arkansas has a Regional Price Parity of 87.64 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median training and development specialists salary is worth about $59,665 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do training and development specialists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.