How to become a state trooper in Arkansas
The Arkansas State Police (Arkansas Department of Public Safety) hires state troopers under the title Trooper. New state troopers start at $67,675 a year, rising to $100,159. You must be at least 20.
Pay
| Starting salary | $67,675 |
|---|---|
| Top of scale | $100,159 |
| Scale effective | 2025-07-01 |
Top = the maximum of the trooper class's state pay range on the FY2026 pay table (Arkansas uses open ranges, not fixed steps).
Source:[arcareers.arkansas.gov]
Pay for this work across Arkansas
Federal survey figures for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Arkansas, counting every employer in the state, public and private, so they differ from the state's own pay scale above.
| People in this work | 5,710 |
|---|---|
| Lower pay (10th percentile) | $35,210 |
| Median pay | $47,670 |
| Higher pay (90th percentile) | $70,190 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, state estimates (all employers)[bls.gov]
Requirements
- Minimum age: 20
- Education: Certified high school graduate or GED
- Citizenship: U.S. citizen
- At least 20 to apply and must turn 21 by recruit school graduation
- Current, valid driver license
- Binocular vision with normal color vision and depth perception; at least 20/100 uncorrected, corrected to 20/20 in each eye
- Never convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor domestic violence charge
- No visible tattoos on neck, hands, head or face; arm tattoos must be concealable with a flesh-colored covering
- College, military and prior law enforcement experience not required
Source:[dps.arkansas.gov]
Hiring process
- Submit initial contact form and medical waiver during an open recruitment window
- Physical Abilities Test (ASP Physical Abilities Fitness Test)
- Written test
- Polygraph
- Background investigation
- Interview process
- ASP Commission approval
- Conditional letter of hire
- Medical and psychological examinations
- Recruit orientation / Troop School (21 weeks)
Source:[dps.arkansas.gov]
Entrance exam
ASP written test
Academy
21 weeks, paid. Troop School 2027-A described as a 21-week law enforcement training program beginning January 2027, open to certified and non-certified applicants. Recruits are paid the $67,675 recruit salary. Residential status not stated.[dps.arkansas.gov]
Pension and retirement
- Plan: Arkansas State Police Retirement System (ASPRS), Tier II (hired on or after April 3, 1997); administered by APERS
- Benefit formula: Final Average Compensation (average of the four highest-earning fiscal years) x 2.65% x years of credited service; plus a temporary annuity of FAC x 0.513% x years until age 62
- When you can retire: Normal: age 65 with 5 years of credited service, or 28 years of actual service at any age. Early: with 5 to <28 years, age 65 reduced by 0.75 month per credited month of service, not below age 55; benefit reduced 0.5% per month early
Non-contributory: ASP says retirement contributions are fully paid by the state, vested at 5 years. 3% COLA each July 1 after 12 months retired. Tier II DROP available.
Source:[apers.org]