📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Salary in Arkansas (2026)

Arkansas · 17.0% below national average · High Demand

Average
$58,415
per year
Median
$54,415
per year
Hourly
$28.08
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
📊
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,333
25th Percentile — Junior$48,953
50th Percentile — Median$54,415
75th Percentile — Senior$75,098
90th Percentile — Top Earners$85,126
💡 Top-earning Operating Engineers and Equipment Operatorss in Arkansas make up to $85,126 per year. The job market in Arkansas is rated moderate, with key industries including Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing.
📈
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$49.2k
2021
$50.9k
2022
$52.7k
2023
$54.5k
2024
$56.4k
2025
$58.4k
2026
📈 Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salaries in Arkansas have followed the national trend with 3.5% annual growth. The strong demand in Arkansas's job market supports continued salary increases.
🗺️
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Salary by City in Arkansas
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Little Rock $48,484 -17.0% High
🔍
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Job Market in Arkansas
Key factors affecting compensation

Arkansas is home to a moderate job market for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operatorss. The state's key industries — Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $58,415 per year, Arkansas's Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators 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 $37,333–$48,953, while experienced Operating Engineers and Equipment Operatorss can command $75,098–$85,126.

Looking ahead, the Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators profession in Arkansas is projected to grow at 3.5% 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
⚖️
Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in Arkansas is $58,415 per year in 2026, which is 17.0% below the national average of $70,380.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Operating Engineers and Equipment Operatorss 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 Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators employment.
  • At $58,415/year, Arkansas Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salaries are 17.0% lower than the national average of $70,380/year.