📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Arkansas (2026)

Arkansas · 17.0% below national average · High Demand

Average
$82,593
per year
Median
$79,937
per year
Hourly
$39.71
per hour
🏛️ Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$53,562
25th Percentile — Junior$69,042
50th Percentile — Median$79,937
75th Percentile — Senior$103,871
90th Percentile — Top Earners$116,923
💡 Top-earning Mechanical Engineers in Arkansas make up to $116,923 per year. The job market in Arkansas is rated moderate, with key industries including Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$71.9k
2021
$74.0k
2022
$76.0k
2023
$78.2k
2024
$80.3k
2025
$82.6k
2026
📈 Mechanical Engineer salaries in Arkansas have followed the national trend with 2.8% annual growth. The strong demand in Arkansas's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Mechanical Engineer Salary by City in Arkansas
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Little Rock $68,552 -17.0% High
🔍
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Arkansas
Key factors affecting compensation

Arkansas is home to a moderate job market for Mechanical Engineers. The state's key industries — Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $82,593 per year, Arkansas's Mechanical Engineer salaries are 17.0% lower than the national average.

The cost of living in Arkansas (index: 0.83) makes salaries stretch further than in higher-cost states. Entry-level professionals in Arkansas can expect to earn $53,562–$69,042, while experienced Mechanical Engineers can command $103,871–$116,923.

Looking ahead, the Mechanical Engineer profession in Arkansas is projected to grow at 2.8% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Agriculture continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Mechanical Engineer salary in Arkansas is $82,593 per year in 2026, which is 17.0% below the national average of $99,510.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Mechanical Engineers the highest wages in Arkansas due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Arkansas has a moderate job market with major industries in Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing. Opportunities exist in for Mechanical Engineer employment.
  • At $82,593/year, Arkansas Mechanical Engineer salaries are 17.0% lower than the national average of $99,510/year.