Arkansas Poultry Industry Creates 150,000 Jobs

Arkansas is proving that farming jobs aren't what they used to be, and that's great news for workers across the state.

The Natural State's poultry industry now supports an estimated 150,000 jobs, spanning fields most people wouldn't expect. We're talking robotics experts, marketing professionals, IT specialists, and engineers alongside traditional farmers and veterinarians.

"The poultry industry offers more careers than people expect," said Dr. Kabel Robbins, director of live operations at Butterball's Arkansas facilities. He's one of more than 7,000 team members working in everything from food safety to human resources.

Arkansas leads the nation in poultry production, with more than 6,000 farms producing over 7 billion pounds of broiler meat in 2023 alone. That makes the state third in the country for broiler chicken production.

Blake Rollins, president of The Poultry Federation, is working to ensure young people know about these opportunities. His organization partners with Be Pro Be Proud, an Arkansas State Chamber of Commerce initiative that introduces students to skilled trades through "Draft Days" events.

"We need welders, electricians, refrigeration technicians, truck drivers, engineers, and robotics experts," Rollins said. The industry welcomes people from all backgrounds, including Rollins himself, who came from law and government rather than agriculture.

Keith Smith, managing director of Keith Smith Co., sees the industry's economic impact reaching even further. About 55 percent of Arkansas' 6 million acres of row crops grow corn and soybeans that support poultry through feed production.

The Ripple Effect

Technology is transforming what it means to work in poultry. Better sensors now provide real-time data on temperature, airflow, and air quality in facilities. Farmers get sophisticated tools to track feed and water use, monitor flock health, and respond quickly to early warning signs.

These innovations create jobs that didn't exist a decade ago. Data analysts interpret sensor information, while tech specialists maintain monitoring systems that keep millions of birds healthy and productive.

The industry is also keeping food prices stable for consumers. Despite recent disease concerns, wholesale broiler prices averaged $1.26 per pound in 2025, down 2 percent from the previous year.

Smith calls the ecosystem that has developed around poultry production "a massive economic engine" for Arkansas. With nearly 175,000 jobs tied to the industry when you count indirect positions, that engine is running strong and creating opportunity for the next generation of workers ready to feed the future.