Career Guide for Accountants: Jonesboro, Arkansas

As someone who’s watched Jonesboro grow from a college town into the economic heart of Northeast Arkansas, I can tell you that accounting here isn't just about crunching numbers—it's about understanding a community built on agriculture, healthcare, and education. Whether you're a recent grad or a seasoned CPA, Jonesboro offers a unique blend of low living costs and solid opportunities, though it’s a different beast than Little Rock or Fayetteville. Let’s break down the reality of building an accounting career here.

The Salary Picture: Where Jonesboro Stands

Jonesboro’s accounting salaries are competitive for the region but sit slightly below the national average. The median salary for accountants in the metro area is $82,387/year, which translates to an hourly rate of $39.61/hour. For context, the national average for accountants is $86,080/year, meaning Jonesboro pays about 4.3% less than the U.S. average. This gap is typical for a lower cost-of-living area, but it's important to factor that in when evaluating offers.

The job market is stable but not booming. There are approximately 161 accounting jobs available in the Jonesboro metro (which includes Craighead and Poinsett counties), with a 10-year job growth of 4%. This growth is largely driven by healthcare expansion and the stability of Arkansas State University (ASU). It’s a steady market—perfect for those seeking predictability, but perhaps not the place for aggressive career climbers seeking rapid-fire opportunities.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Salaries in Jonesboro follow a clear progression based on experience. Here’s a realistic breakdown based on local job postings and BLS data:

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary Range
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$50,000 - $65,000
Mid-Level	3-7 years	$68,000 - $85,000
Senior-Level	8-15 years	$86,000 - $110,000
Expert/Managerial	15+ years	$110,000 - $140,000+

Note: These ranges account for both public accounting firms and corporate roles. Government and non-profit roles often sit on the lower end, while specialized roles in healthcare or manufacturing can push the higher end.

Comparison to Other Arkansas Cities

How does Jonesboro stack up against other Arkansas metros? It’s firmly in the middle, which aligns with its cost of living.

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Key Industries
Jonesboro	$82,387	85.7	Healthcare, Education, Agriculture
Little Rock	$85,500	86.1	Government, Finance, Logistics
Fayetteville	$83,200	88.5	Education, Retail, Manufacturing
Fort Smith	$79,900	82.3	Manufacturing, Aerospace

Jonesboro’s salary is very close to Fayetteville’s, both being college towns, but Jonesboro’s cost of living is slightly lower. Little Rock offers a marginally higher salary but with a similar cost of living. Fort Smith pays less but is even cheaper to live in. Jonesboro’s sweet spot is offering a solid middle-class salary while your money goes further than in a major coastal city.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get practical. If you earn the median salary of $82,387, your monthly take-home pay after Arkansas state taxes (which range from 2% to 5.5%) and federal taxes will be approximately $4,900 to $5,100 per month. This assumes you’re single, taking the standard deduction, and contributing to a 401(k).

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Single Earner, Median Salary):

• Gross Monthly Income: ~$6,865
• Estimated Taxes (Fed & State): ~$1,765
• Net Monthly Take-Home: ~$5,100
• Rent (1-Bedroom Average): $767
• Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet): $180
• Groceries & Household: $350
• Transportation (Car Payment, Gas, Insurance): $400
• Health Insurance & Healthcare: $300
• Miscellaneous (Dining, Entertainment, Savings): $1,203
• Total Estimated Expenses: ~$3,200

This leaves a healthy surplus of about $1,900 per month for savings, debt repayment, or discretionary spending. This is the core advantage of Jonesboro—your salary stretches significantly further than in larger metros.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?

Yes, absolutely. With a surplus of nearly $2,000/month, saving for a down payment is feasible. The median home price in Jonesboro is around $225,000. A 20% down payment is $45,000. At your savings rate, you could save that in about 2 years. A mortgage on a $225,000 home with a 6% interest rate would be roughly $1,350/month (including taxes and insurance), which is manageable on a take-home pay of $5,100. Many local accountants own homes within 2-3 years of moving here.

Where the Jobs Are: Jonesboro's Major Employers

The accounting job market in Jonesboro is anchored by a few key sectors. Here are the major players you’ll want to know:

1. St. Bernards Healthcare: Jonesboro’s largest employer. They have a major in-house finance department and frequently hire staff accountants, revenue cycle specialists, and financial analysts. The healthcare industry is recession-resistant, offering stability.
2. Arkansas State University (ASU): A massive public university with a complex budget. They hire accountants for grants management, payroll, and general fund accounting. These are state jobs with excellent benefits but salaries can be on the lower end of the scale.
3. Nucor Steel: A major manufacturing plant in nearby Crawfordsville (15-minute drive). They need cost accountants and financial analysts familiar with manufacturing processes. Pay here can be on the higher side due to the manufacturing specialization.
4. First Community Bank: A regional bank headquartered in Jonesboro. They hire for internal audit, loan review, and branch accounting roles. Good for those with a bank or credit union background.
5. The Jonesboro Clinic: A large multi-specialty physician group. They need accountants skilled in medical billing and practice management.
6. Public Accounting Firms: Locally, firms like Edwards, Cofield & Associates and BKD CPAs & Advisors (regional firm with a Jonesboro office) are key employers for audit and tax professionals. They provide great training and a path to CPA certification.
7. Agricultural Giants: Companies like Farmers Bank & Trust and co-ops like The Crow's Nest (agribusiness) have significant accounting needs due to the region's agricultural economy.

Hiring Trends: Since 2022, there's been a steady demand for accountants with ERP software experience (SAP, Oracle), especially at Nucor and St. Bernards. There's also a growing need for data analytics skills to interpret financial data, moving beyond traditional bookkeeping. Public accounting firms are consistently hiring, especially during tax season.

Getting Licensed in AR

To practice as a CPA in Arkansas, you must follow the State Board of Accountancy requirements. It’s a clear path but requires dedication.

Key Requirements:

• Education: A bachelor’s degree (120 credit hours) with 30 hours in upper-level accounting courses. Most candidates get a master’s in accounting (MAcc) to reach the required 150 credit hours for licensure. ASU’s College of Business offers a well-regarded MAcc program.
• Exam: Pass all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam. The exam fee is roughly $1,500 in total (for all four parts).
• Experience: 1 year of public accounting experience (under a licensed CPA) or 2 years of non-public accounting experience.
• Ethics Exam: Pass the Arkansas-specific ethics exam.

Costs & Timeline:

• Total Estimated Cost (Education + Exam + Review Course): $8,000 - $15,000 (varies if you do a master's degree).
• Timeline: If you start with 120 credits, expect 2-3 years to complete a master’s and the exam. If you already have 150 credits, you can sit for the exam sooner.

Insider Tip: Many local firms in Jonesboro will support your CPA journey with tuition reimbursement and paid study time. If you're moving here without a license, target an entry-level staff accountant role at a firm like BKD or a large employer like St. Bernards, which often has programs to help you get licensed.

Best Neighborhoods for Accountants

Jonesboro is highly car-dependent. When choosing a neighborhood, your commute is the primary factor. Here’s a local’s guide:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent (1-BR Avg)	Why It's a Good Fit
Neighborhoods near ASU (East Jonesboro)	Lively, student-friendly. 10-15 min drive to downtown, St. Bernards, and ASU.	$750 - $900	Great for young professionals. Walkable to cafes and parks. Close to the heart of the job market.
Northwest Jonesboro (Culberhouse area)	Quiet, family-oriented. Newer subdivisions. 15-20 min commute to most employers.	$775 - $950	More space, good schools. Ideal if you work at Nucor or a bank on the north side.
Downtown Historic District	Charming, walkable. Limited apartments, mostly lofts. 5-10 min drive to everything.	$850 - $1,100	For those who love character and being near local restaurants like The Parson's Table. Best for young, single professionals.
South Jonesboro (near Mall)	Commercial, convenient. Close to shopping and I-555. 15-20 min commute.	$700 - $850	Affordable and practical. Easy access to the highway if you commute to surrounding towns.
Brookland (a few minutes north)	Suburban, quiet. Small-town feel. 20-25 min commute to downtown Jonesboro.	$650 - $800	For those wanting a true suburban feel with lower rent. Commute is longer but manageable.

Insider Tip: Drive the commute at 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM during your apartment search. Traffic is light, but the I-555 loop can get congested. For the best value, look for apartments in Culberhouse or East Jonesboro.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Jonesboro, career growth is about specialization and relationships, not just job-hopping.

• Specialty Premiums: You can expect a 10-15% salary premium for roles requiring:
  • Healthcare Revenue Cycle Management (at St. Bernards).
  • Cost Accounting for Manufacturing (at Nucor).
  • Governmental Accounting (at ASU or city/county offices).
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is Staff Accountant → Senior Accountant → Accounting Manager/Controller. In public accounting, it's Staff → Senior → Manager → Partner. To move from Senior to Manager, the CPA license is non-negotiable in Jonesboro. Leadership roles often require 8-10 years of experience.
• Networking: Join the Northeast Arkansas Chapter of the Arkansas Society of CPAs. The local business community is tight-knit; knowing people at St. Bernards, ASU, and local banks is invaluable for advancement.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 4% job growth means opportunities will be steady. The biggest growth will be in accounting tech roles—blending finance with data analytics. To stay competitive, focus on learning systems like SAP, Power BI, and Tableau. The demand for traditional bookkeeping will decline, but the need for financial analysts who can tell the story behind the numbers will grow.

The Verdict: Is Jonesboro Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Very Low Cost of Living: Your $82,387 salary feels like $110,000+ on the coasts.	Limited Job Market: Only 161 accounting jobs. Specialized roles are rare; you may need to be flexible.
Stable, Major Employers: Healthcare and education are recession-proof.	Relatively Slow Growth: 4% job growth over 10 years is steady, not explosive.
Short, Easy Commutes: Most drives are under 20 minutes.	Cultural & Dining Scene is Limited: You’ll drive to Memphis (1.5 hrs) for major concerts or more diverse food.
Tight-Knit Professional Community: Easy to network and get known.	Car-Dependent: Public transportation is virtually non-existent.
Strong Homeownership Potential: Affordable housing market.	Climate: Hot, humid summers and unpredictable winters.

Final Recommendation:
Jonesboro is an excellent choice for accountants who prioritize stability, affordability, and work-life balance over high-stakes corporate climbing. It’s perfect for those starting a family, saving aggressively, or seeking a slower pace. If you’re a CPA looking for the highest possible salary or want to work in a fast-paced, innovative tech environment, you may find it limiting. But for most, the math works beautifully: a solid median salary, a low cost of living, and a safe, friendly community to build a life in.

FAQs

1. Is it easy to find an accounting job in Jonesboro without a CPA?
Yes, especially for entry and mid-level staff accountant roles. Many employers (like ASU, healthcare practices, and banks) hire with a bachelor’s degree and 1-2 years of experience. However, the CPA license is critical for advancement to senior or managerial roles.

2. How does the cost of living really compare?
The Cost of Living Index of 85.7 means Jonesboro is about 14% cheaper than the U.S. average. Groceries are roughly 10% cheaper, utilities are 20% cheaper, and housing is the biggest saving—often 30-40% less than national averages. Your $82,387 salary goes much further here.

3. What’s the job market like for remote work?
Post-pandemic, remote work is an option but not the norm. Local employers like Nucor and St. Bernards prefer hybrid models. You can find fully remote roles with national firms, but local networking is harder. If you want remote, ensure you have a strong, specialized resume.

4. Do I need to know about agriculture to work in accounting here?
Not necessarily, but it helps. Understanding the basic cycles of farming (planting, harvest) and related businesses (co-ops, equipment dealers) can be an asset if you work for a bank or a larger corporation with agricultural clients. It’s a niche, but valued, knowledge set.

5. What’s the best way to get my foot in the door?
Apply directly on company websites (St. Bernards, ASU, First Community) and use LinkedIn to connect with local finance professionals. The Arkansas State University accounting program has strong ties to local employers; if you’re a recent grad, leverage the career center. For experienced hires, a well-timed application during tax season (Jan-Apr) or budget season (summer) for public or governmental roles can increase your chances.