Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in Arkansas
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in Arkansas earn a median of $44,520 a year ($21.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,670 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $59,850. Arkansas ranks 51st of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. There are 4.5 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $45,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,520 | $17.08 |
| 25th percentile | $38,350 | $18.44 |
| Median | $44,520 | $21.41 |
| 75th percentile | $49,860 | $23.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $58,670 | $28.21 |
| Average (mean) | $45,890 | $22.06 |
Half of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators 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 | $3,710 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,855 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,712.31 |
| Weekly | $856.15 |
| Hourly | $21.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,870 | 1,140 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $50,090 | 900 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $46,800 | 280 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $46,290 | 1,230 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $45,590 | 240 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $41,820 | 440 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $37,760 | 250 |
Highest-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $115,860 |
| Illinois | $97,740 |
| New Jersey | $89,660 |
| California | $87,160 |
| Washington | $81,700 |
| New York | $80,980 |
| Indiana | $79,580 |
| Minnesota | $79,130 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 |
| Alaska | $77,810 |
See Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in every state.
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Laborer | $37,630 | $18.09 |
| Electrician | $49,070 | $23.59 |
| Carpenter | $47,760 | $22.96 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $48,660 | $23.39 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $46,230 | $22.23 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| Roofer | $47,470 | $22.82 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $40,090 | $19.28 |
| Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators | $44,010 | $21.16 |
| Glazier | $44,700 | $21.49 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $55,100 | $26.49 |
| Pipelayer | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $43,730 | $21.03 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2073. 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 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Arkansas?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Arkansas is $44,520 a year, or $21.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $58,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Arkansas earn at least $58,670 a year. The top 25% earn $49,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,520 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $38,350 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in Arkansas?
About 5,800 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.