Arkansas Median
$44,520
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.40
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-26% vs US median
US median $59,850
State Rank
#51 of 51
5,800 employed here
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in Arkansas?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Arkansas take home a median of $44,520 annually — roughly $21.40 an hour — which runs 26% below the national median of $59,850.
Within Arkansas, entry-level pay starts around $35,520 while the top 10% make $58,670 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,350 and $49,860 a year.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary range in Arkansas
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,520 | $17.08 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,350 | $18.44 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,520 | $21.40 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $49,860 | $23.97 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,670 | $28.21 |
|
How Arkansas compares
Arkansas ranks 51st out of 51 states and territories for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other states
Hawaii $115,860Illinois $97,740New Jersey $89,660California $87,160Washington $81,700New York $80,980Indiana $79,580Minnesota $79,130Connecticut $78,750Alaska $77,810Massachusetts $76,820Wisconsin $75,280District of Columbia $74,610Oregon $73,430Nevada $71,410Ohio $64,940Rhode Island $63,610Wyoming $62,960Michigan $62,690Colorado $62,620New Hampshire $62,200North Dakota $62,150Idaho $61,680Montana $61,580Maryland $61,410Utah $60,740Arizona $60,620Missouri $60,540Pennsylvania $60,530Iowa $60,330South Dakota $59,500Vermont $58,870Nebraska $58,360Delaware $58,020Kentucky $57,780Virginia $57,160Maine $56,140New Mexico $52,000Tennessee $52,000Louisiana $51,700Kansas $51,620West Virginia $51,300Texas $50,460Florida $49,400North Carolina $49,310South Carolina $48,940Oklahoma $47,970Georgia $47,880Alabama $47,520Mississippi $47,410
Working as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Arkansas
Nationally, about 478,000 people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Arkansas pay ($44,520) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in Arkansas?
The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Arkansas is $44,520 per year, or about $21.40 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,520 at the entry level to $58,670 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arkansas pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators about 26% less than the national median of $59,850. Arkansas ranks 51st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arkansas a good state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $44,520 a year. About 5,800 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators are employed in Arkansas. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Arkansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Arkansas include Dermatologist ($422,060), Neurologist ($317,880), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($262,470), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary report
Related salaries
$55,690
median pay · 36,000 employed
$67,890
median pay · 13,000 employed
$57,080
median pay · 58,000 employed
$61,800
median pay · 120,000 employed
$74,500
median pay · 6,000 employed
$47,980
median pay · 24,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.