Arkansas Manufacturing Facts

Manufacturers in Arkansas account for 14.75% of the total output in the state, employing 12.66% of the workforce. Total output from manufacturing was $21.85 billion in 2021. In addition, there were an average of 163,000 manufacturing employees in Arkansas in December 2021, with an average annual compensation of $66,795.33 in 2021.

Manufacturing Output and Firms

Total Manufacturing Output ($billions, 2021)
$21.85
(Percent share of total gross state product)
14.75%
Manufacturing Firms in Arkansas (2019)
2,227

Employment and Compensation

Manufacturing Employment (December 2021)
163,000
(Percent share of nonfarm employment)
12.66%
Average Annual Compensation (Manufacturing, 2021)
$66,795.33
(Nonfarm Businesses, 2021)
$50,036.43

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis and the U.S. Census Bureau

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Arkansas Export Facts

Manufacturers help to drive the Arkansas economy, with $5.10 billion in manufactured goods exports in 2021.

Manufacturing Exports

Manufactured Goods Exports ($billions, 2021)
$5.10
Top 5 Export Markets (total percentage 2021)
57.46%
Canada
24.05%
Mexico
15.76%
United Kingdom
6.96%
Japan
6.42%
France
4.27%

Sources: International Trade Administration, U.S. Census Bureau

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Additional Trade Facts

  • The 20 U.S. FTA partners purchased 49.38% ($690.92 billion) of U.S. manufactured goods exports in 2021 – even though these countries represent only six percent of the world’s population and 10 percent of GDP.
  • FTA countries: Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, Nicaragua, Oman, Panama, Peru, Singapore and South Korea.