A Career Guide for Financial Analysts in Little Rock, Arkansas

If you’re a financial analyst contemplating a move to Little Rock, you’re looking at a market that offers a compelling blend of affordability, steady opportunity, and a manageable pace of life. As a local who’s watched this city’s economic landscape evolve—from the dominance of healthcare to the quiet resilience of its banking sector—I can tell you this: Little Rock isn’t the flashiest market, but it’s a pragmatic one where your dollar goes far, and your career can grow steadily without the cutthroat competition of coastal hubs.

This guide is built on hard data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, and local market observations. We’ll cut through the noise and give you the real picture.

The Salary Picture: Where Little Rock Stands

Let’s start with the numbers that matter most. For financial analysts in the Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway metropolitan area, the financial outlook is solid, especially when contextualized against the city’s low cost of living.

Median Salary: $95,772/year
Hourly Rate: $46.04/hour
National Average: $99,010/year
Jobs in Metro: 407 (as of latest BLS metro area data)
10-Year Job Growth: 9%

While the median salary sits slightly below the national average of $99,010, the real value is unlocked by Little Rock’s cost of living, which is roughly 11% lower than the U.S. average. A $95,772 salary in Little Rock has the purchasing power of approximately $107,600 nationally.

To break it down further, here’s how experience typically translates to earnings in the local market. These figures are based on aggregated local job postings and BLS data for the region.

Experience Level	Typical Title	Estimated Salary Range (Little Rock)
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	Junior Financial Analyst	$65,000 - $78,000
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	Financial Analyst / Senior Financial Analyst	$80,000 - $105,000
Senior-Level (8-15 years)	Lead Financial Analyst / Manager	$105,000 - $130,000
Expert/Leadership (15+ years)	Director of Finance / FP&A Manager	$130,000 - $160,000+

Comparison to Other Arkansas Cities

Little Rock anchors the state’s financial scene, but it’s worth comparing to other major Arkansas metros for context.

City	Median Salary (Financial Analyst)	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Key Industries
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway	$95,772	89.1	Healthcare, Banking, Government
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers	~$92,500	90.5	Retail HQ (Walmart), Manufacturing
Fort Smith	~$80,000	84.2	Manufacturing, Aerospace

Insider Tip: While Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers has a booming economy due to Walmart, the cost of living there, especially for housing, has risen sharply. Little Rock still offers more balance for analysts focused on cost-of-living-adjusted salary.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $95,772 salary sounds good, but let’s see what it means for your monthly budget in Little Rock. Using a 2024 tax estimator (assuming single filer, standard deduction, and AR state tax of 2.0% for this bracket), your take-home pay after taxes is approximately $72,500/year or $6,042/month.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown for a financial analyst earning the median salary:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Net Pay (After Taxes)	$6,042	From $95,772 gross salary
Rent (1BR Average)	$950	City-wide average; varies by neighborhood
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water, Internet)	$220	Arkansas has moderate utility costs
Groceries	$400	Based on USDA low-cost plan for a single adult
Transportation (Car Payment, Gas, Insurance)	$650	Little Rock is car-dependent; no state income tax on fuel
Health Insurance (Employer Plan)	$300	Varies widely; this is a typical employee share
Miscellaneous (Dining, Entertainment, Savings)	$1,522	Left for savings, student loans, or discretionary spending
Total Expenses	$4,042
Remaining for Savings/Debt	$2,000

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?

With $2,000 in potential monthly savings, homeownership is very attainable. The median home price in Little Rock is approximately $220,000. With a 20% down payment ($44,000), a 30-year mortgage at 7% would have a monthly payment of around $1,165 (principal & interest), plus taxes and insurance, likely under $1,500/month. Saving $2,000/month, you could accumulate a down payment in less than two years. This is a stark contrast to markets like Denver or Austin, where the same salary would preclude homeownership for many.

Where the Jobs Are: Little Rock's Major Employers

The job market for financial analysts in Little Rock is concentrated in a few key sectors. The 407 jobs listed for the metro area are primarily with the following types of employers:

1. Healthcare Giants: This is the dominant sector. CHI St. Luke’s Health (operating Arkansas Children’s Hospital and other facilities) and Baptist Health are massive employers. They need analysts for revenue cycle management, budgeting, and operational finance. Hiring is steady, driven by constant expansion and regulatory complexity.
2. Banking & Finance: Bank OZK (headquartered in Little Rock) and Arvest Bank are major regional players. They hire analysts for credit risk, commercial lending, and internal finance. First Security Bank also has a significant regional presence.
3. Corporate HQs & Retail: While not a Walmart HQ (that’s in Bentonville), Little Rock hosts Dillard’s Inc. (a Fortune 500 retailer), Acxiom (data marketing), and Windstream (telecom). These companies offer corporate finance roles with a focus on FP&A (Financial Planning & Analysis).
4. Government & Utilities: The State of Arkansas is a huge employer, with agencies like the Department of Finance and Administration and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Entergy Arkansas (utility) also has a significant local office.
5. Professional Services: Firms like Deloitte and PwC have offices in Little Rock, primarily serving the healthcare and banking clients mentioned above. These are great launchpads for analysts seeking rapid experience.

Hiring Trends: Demand is most consistent in healthcare and banking. There’s a growing need for analysts with data visualization skills (Tableau, Power BI) and familiarity with ERP systems like Oracle or SAP. Public sector jobs offer exceptional stability but may have slower salary growth.

Getting Licensed in Arkansas

For most financial analyst roles, you do not need a state-specific license. However, certain specializations require certifications, which are governed by national bodies with state-level recognition.

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA): If your career path leans toward accounting or assurance, you’ll need a CPA license. The Arkansas State Board of Public Accountancy requires:
  • 150 semester hours of education.
  • Passing all four sections of the Uniform CPA Exam.
  • One year of work experience under a licensed CPA.
  • Cost: Exam fees ($1,500) + review course ($2,000) + application fees (~$150).
  • Timeline: 12-18 months from start to licensure, assuming you meet educational requirements.
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA): Globally recognized, no state license required. You must pass three rigorous exams. Cost is approximately $2,500-$4,000 total for all three levels, plus study materials. This is highly valued in investment management roles.
• Series Licenses (for Brokerage): If you move into wealth management or trading, you’ll need Series 7 and 66 licenses, sponsored by a FINRA-member firm. These are not state-specific but require firm sponsorship.

Insider Tip: For most corporate finance roles in Little Rock (FP&A, budgeting), a CPA or CFA is beneficial but not mandatory. A strong track record with Excel and financial modeling often carries more weight initially.

Best Neighborhoods for Financial Analysts

Little Rock is geographically divided by the Arkansas River, with suburbs sprawling to the west and north. Commute times are generally short, often under 20 minutes, but choosing the right neighborhood impacts lifestyle.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Typical 1BR Rent	Best For
Hillcrest / The Heights	Historic, walkable, charming bungalows. 10-15 min drive to downtown/Government District.	$1,100 - $1,400	Young professionals who want character and proximity to trendy restaurants and parks.
Downtown / River Market	Urban, walkable, modern apartments. Central to many offices. Can be noisy.	$1,200 - $1,600	Analysts who want a vibrant city feel and minimal commute.
Midtown / Stifft Station	Up-and-coming, eclectic, more affordable than Hillcrest. 10-15 min commute.	$900 - $1,200	Budget-conscious professionals seeking a hip, diverse area.
West Little Rock	Suburban, family-oriented, modern amenities. 15-20 min commute to downtown.	$950 - $1,300	Those prioritizing space, new construction, and easy access to shopping.
Camelot / Pleasant Valley	Quiet, safe, established neighborhoods. 20-25 min commute.	$1,000 - $1,400	Analysts with families or those seeking a quiet, suburban lifestyle.

Neighborhood Note: The Hillcrest neighborhood is a local favorite for its walkability and strong community feel. If you’re interviewing with Baptist Health or CHI St. Luke’s, which are on the medical corridor, Hillcrest or Midtown offers a convenient reverse commute.

The Long Game: Career Growth in Little Rock

Your career trajectory in Little Rock will likely be steadier than explosive. The 9% projected job growth over 10 years is healthy but not frenetic. Advancement typically comes from internal promotion or moving between the major local employers.

• Specialty Premiums: Analysts with niche skills command higher salaries. Data analytics (SQL, Python), healthcare revenue cycle expertise, and financial modeling for capital projects can push you toward the $115,000+ range. A CPA can be a significant differentiator, especially in healthcare finance.
• Advancement Paths: The classic path is Junior Analyst → Senior Analyst → Finance Manager → Director of Finance. In Little Rock, you might also transition into a Controller role at a mid-sized company or a Vice President of Finance at a regional bank. Moving from corporate finance to an internal auditor role is another common pivot for CPAs.
• 10-Year Outlook: The market will remain stable. Growth will be tied to the expansion of healthcare systems and the performance of the banking sector. The rise of remote work may bring more national opportunities to Little Rock-based analysts, but the local market will continue to be dominated by these core industries.

The Verdict: Is Little Rock Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Extremely Low Cost of Living: Your $95,772 salary provides a high quality of life.	Limited Specialization: Fewer opportunities in high-frequency trading or cutting-edge fintech.
Strong, Stable Industries: Healthcare and banking provide recession-resistant jobs.	Car-Centric: Public transit is limited; driving is a necessity.
Short Commutes: Average drive is under 20 minutes, freeing up personal time.	Cultural Scene: It’s improving but smaller than major metros; less diversity in dining/arts.
Manageable Scale: A "big small town" feel—easy to network and build a reputation.	Political Environment: Arkansas’s political landscape can be polarizing for some.
Good Work-Life Balance: Companies generally respect 40-45 hour work weeks.	Slower Salary Growth: Raises and promotions can be more incremental than in high-growth cities.

Final Recommendation: Little Rock is an excellent choice for financial analysts who value financial stability, work-life balance, and affordability over the high-octane, high-cost life of a coastal city. It’s ideal for those early to mid-career looking to build solid experience without drowning in rent, or for seasoned professionals seeking a lower-stress environment. If you crave niche specialization in emerging fields or a bustling, global metropolis, you may find it limiting.

FAQs

1. What is the job market really like for financial analysts in Little Rock?
It’s stable but not hyper-competitive. The 407 jobs in the metro are concentrated in healthcare, banking, and government. Networking is crucial; most opportunities are filled through connections rather than cold applications. Attending events hosted by the Arkansas Society of CPAs or the Little Rock Venture Center can open doors.

2. How does the lack of state income tax on Social Security and pensions affect retirement planning?
It’s a significant benefit. Arkansas does not tax Social Security benefits and offers a partial exemption on other retirement income. For a financial analyst planning long-term, this means more of your retirement savings stays in your pocket, enhancing your financial planning for clients or your own future.

3. Is a car absolutely necessary?
For all practical purposes, yes. While downtown is walkable, most employers (like CHI St. Luke’s in the medical district or Bank OZK in the suburbs) require a car. The public bus system (Rock Region Metro) exists but has limited routes and frequency. Budgeting $650/month for a car is a realistic starting point.

4. How does the cost of living compare to the national average?
Little Rock’s cost of living index is 89.1 (U.S. average = 100). Housing is the biggest saving—rent is about 30% below the national average. Groceries and utilities are slightly below average. This means your $95,772 salary stretches much further than in cities like Chicago or Dallas.

5. What’s the best way to prepare for interviews with major employers like Baptist Health or Bank OZK?
Research their recent financials and local impact. For healthcare, understand revenue cycle challenges and value-based care. For banking, be familiar with regional credit trends. Demonstrate how your analytical skills can solve their specific local challenges. Also, be prepared to discuss your interest in Little Rock’s lifestyle—it shows you’re likely to stay and grow with the company.