Mechanical Engineer salary in Arkansas
Mechanical Engineers in Arkansas earn a median of $80,180 a year ($38.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,840 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $104,110. Arkansas ranks 51st of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay. There are 1.1 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $88,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,650 | $27.72 |
| 25th percentile | $65,620 | $31.55 |
| Median | $80,180 | $38.55 |
| 75th percentile | $103,850 | $49.93 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,840 | $63.39 |
| Average (mean) | $88,340 | $42.47 |
Half of mechanical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,681.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,340.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,083.85 |
| Weekly | $1,541.92 |
| Hourly | $38.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $106,330 | 70 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $104,110 | 390 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $93,800 | 330 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $80,180 | 260 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $78,950 | 150 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $76,690 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $85,020 | $40.88 |
| Industrial Engineer | $98,410 | $47.31 |
| Electrical Engineer | $96,860 | $46.57 |
| Engineers, All Other | $76,940 | $36.99 |
| Chemical Engineer | $105,270 | $50.61 |
| Environmental Engineer | $85,280 | $41.00 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $102,040 | $49.06 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $120,290 | $57.83 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $109,830 | $52.80 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $101,590 | $48.84 |
| Materials Engineer | $103,900 | $49.95 |
| Agricultural Engineer | $57,740 | $27.76 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $67,850 | $32.62 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $62,420 | $30.01 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Arkansas?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in Arkansas is $80,180 a year, or $38.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in Arkansas earn at least $131,840 a year. The top 25% earn $103,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,650 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $65,620 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Arkansas?
About 1,410 mechanical engineers are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.