Arkansas: 2026 Business Market Risk & Industry Survival
Rank #10 of 51 state markets. 10 industries tracked. Population: 3,011,524.
Arkansas ranks #10 out of 51 state markets by average entry risk (38.6). Information carries the lowest risk at 30.0 (Moderate), while Retail Trade is the most challenging at 51.8 (Elevated). The 21.8-point spread signals significant variation across sectors. Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer with 185,032 jobs.
Arkansas: 38.6 Average Entry Risk
Arkansas at a Glance
Best Industries for New Entrants in Arkansas
Industries with the lowest entry risk in Arkansas.
Entry Risk by Industry in Arkansas
Compare market entry conditions across industries in Arkansas. Rank indicates position vs. all 50 states.
Arkansas Industry Data: 79,159 Establishments
| Industry | Entry Risk | Rank | Establishments | Employment | Avg Wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Information NAICS 51 | 30.0 | #2/51 | 2,259 | 12,291 | $83,178 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing NAICS 53 | 30.5 | #12/51 | 4,115 | 15,451 | $52,284 |
| Construction NAICS 23 | 34.3 | #8/51 | 8,276 | 66,880 | $65,877 |
| Accommodation and Food Services NAICS 72 | 36.9 | #26/51 | 6,808 | 115,352 | $22,090 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services NAICS 54 | 37.3 | #18/51 | 14,099 | 51,489 | $81,784 |
| Other Services NAICS 81 | 38.8 | #15/51 | 6,276 | 28,812 | $46,736 |
| Healthcare and Social Assistance NAICS 62 | 39.5 | #24/51 | 12,986 | 185,032 | $56,007 |
| Administrative and Support Services NAICS 56 | 42.0 | #29/51 | 7,276 | 69,371 | $45,903 |
| Finance and Insurance NAICS 52 | 44.7 | #7/51 | 6,178 | 40,417 | $84,337 |
| Retail Trade NAICS 44-45 | 51.8 | #44/51 | 10,886 | 143,656 | $35,990 |
Largest Industries in Arkansas by Employment
Metro Markets in Arkansas
5 metropolitan areas with industry-level market scores. Each links to its most favorable industry.
How Arkansas Compares to Neighboring States
Average entry risk across all tracked industries. Lower scores indicate better conditions for new businesses.
Arkansas: Frequently Asked Questions
2026 state-level data answers to common business-formation questions.
What is Arkansas's overall business entry risk score for 2026?
Arkansas averages 38.6 across 10 tracked industries, ranking #10 of 51 state markets. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions; the national average sits near 44.
What is the easiest industry to start a business in within Arkansas?
Information carries the lowest entry risk in Arkansas at 30.0 (Moderate). It employs 12,291 workers across 2,259 establishments.
Which sector is the most challenging for new businesses in Arkansas?
Retail Trade posts Arkansas's highest entry risk at 51.8 (Elevated). New entrants in this sector face conditions that favor incumbents.
How many businesses operate in Arkansas?
79,159 business establishments are tracked across 10 industries in Arkansas, employing 728,751 workers in 2026 data releases from the U.S. Census BDS and BLS QCEW.
What is Arkansas's largest industry by employment?
Healthcare and Social Assistance is the largest tracked employer in Arkansas with 185,032 jobs across 12,986 establishments and an entry risk score of 39.5.