Highest-paying and most in-demand trades in Arkansas
27 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states, the union scale and the state's own projection of which trades are growing.
Every trade in Arkansas, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $41.50 | $86,310 | $61.69 | 2,280 | 51st of 51 | -6.5% | 25% below |
| 2 | Lineman | $39.16 | $81,450 | $55.34 | 1,510 | 40th of 51 | -7.9% | 15% below |
| 3 | Boilermaker | $36.93 | $76,810 | $54.87 | 50 | 23rd of 37 | — | 1% above |
| 4 | Elevator mechanic | $29.58 | $61,530 | $51.37 | 60 | 36th of 37 | -35.7% | 44% below |
| 5 | Construction supervisor | $29.44 | $61,230 | $42.80 | 6,590 | 51st of 51 | -6.9% | 23% below |
| 6 | Millwright | $27.07 | $56,310 | $36.61 | 1,140 | 46th of 48 | +4.1% | 14% below |
| 7 | Brickmason | $26.49 | $55,100 | $29.99 | 450 | 39th of 50 | +8.3% | 11% below |
| 8 | Diesel mechanic | $25.16 | $52,330 | $33.30 | 4,090 | 49th of 51 | +7.3% | 15% below |
| 9 | Machinist | $24.59 | $51,140 | $37.69 | 2,150 | 47th of 51 | +1.5% | 13% below |
| 10 | Electrician | $23.59 | $49,070 | $35.80 | 7,500 | 51st of 51 | -12.9% | 22% below |
| 11 | Plumber | $23.39 | $48,660 | $33.11 | 3,370 | 51st of 51 | +1.3% | 24% below |
| 12 | HVAC technician | $23.13 | $48,110 | $33.31 | 4,960 | 51st of 51 | +0.1% | 21% below |
| 13 | Welder | $23.06 | $47,970 | $30.21 | 6,150 | 51st of 51 | +4.1% | 11% below |
| 14 | Carpenter | $22.96 | $47,760 | $33.92 | 4,030 | 50th of 51 | +5.3% | 21% below |
| 15 | Roofer | $22.82 | $47,470 | $28.02 | 950 | 38th of 51 | +14.1% | 14% below |
| 16 | Cement mason | $22.23 | $46,230 | $28.53 | 1,900 | 47th of 51 | +4.0% | 19% below |
| 17 | Sheet metal worker | $22.03 | $45,820 | $27.59 | 1,230 | 50th of 50 | -1.1% | 26% below |
| 18 | Ironworker | $21.88 | $45,510 | $29.55 | 1,080 | 50th of 50 | -12.4% | 28% below |
| 19 | Solar installer | $21.55 | $44,820 | $30.22 | — | 30th of 32 | — | 16% below |
| 20 | Glazier | $21.49 | $44,700 | $26.73 | 480 | 48th of 50 | -6.5% | 22% below |
| 21 | Drywall installer | $21.42 | $44,550 | $23.46 | 240 | 45th of 49 | +12.6% | 24% below |
| 22 | Heavy equipment operator | $21.41 | $44,520 | $28.21 | 5,800 | 51st of 51 | -2.2% | 26% below |
| 23 | Insulation worker | $21.03 | $43,730 | $25.64 | 350 | 43rd of 48 | — | 11% below |
| 24 | Crane operator | $20.00 | $41,600 | $30.82 | 880 | 50th of 50 | -31.0% | 39% below |
| 25 | Painter | $19.28 | $40,090 | $26.26 | 890 | 51st of 51 | -8.5% | 19% below |
| 26 | Tile setter | $18.74 | $38,980 | $24.09 | 160 | 47th of 47 | +0.9% | 30% below |
| 27 | Construction laborer | $18.09 | $37,630 | $23.27 | 10,650 | 50th of 51 | +14.9% | 20% below |
Most in-demand trades in Arkansas
By the Arkansas labor market agency's 2024–2034 projections, the fastest-growing trades are solar installers (+23.9%), crane operators (+16.2%), electricians (+15.2%). The most openings a year, counting replacements as well as growth, come from construction laborers (1,150 a year), electricians (1,010 a year), welders (820 a year). The largest specialty-contractor group in the state is building equipment contractors (electrical, plumbing, HVAC), with 23,664 jobs (2025 annual average, QCEW).
| Trade | Projected change 2024–2034 | Openings a year | Jobs in 2024 | Median $/hr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solar installer | +23.9% | 20 | 130 | $21.55 |
| Crane operator | +16.2% | 80 | 690 | $20.00 |
| Electrician | +15.2% | 1,010 | 9,430 | $23.59 |
| HVAC technician | +13.1% | 520 | 5,120 | $23.13 |
| Tile setter | +12.7% | 20 | 250 | $18.74 |
| Ironworker | +12.6% | 90 | 940 | $21.88 |
| Construction manager | +12.5% | 290 | 3,200 | $41.50 |
| Lineman | +11.9% | 150 | 1,600 | $39.16 |
| Roofer | +11.4% | 90 | 1,070 | $22.82 |
| Construction laborer | +9.8% | 1,150 | 12,480 | $18.09 |
| Sheet metal worker | +9.7% | 90 | 920 | $22.03 |
| Plumber | +9.3% | 320 | 3,360 | $23.39 |
| Construction supervisor | +9.2% | 630 | 7,330 | $29.44 |
| Brickmason | +9.0% | 60 | 720 | $26.49 |
| Elevator mechanic | +8.5% | 10 | 90 | $29.58 |
| Glazier | +8.1% | 40 | 400 | $21.49 |
| Drywall installer | +7.9% | 30 | 360 | $21.42 |
| Painter | +7.7% | 120 | 1,370 | $19.28 |
| Heavy equipment operator | +7.4% | 530 | 5,850 | $21.41 |
| Insulation worker | +6.9% | 30 | 350 | $21.03 |
| Carpenter | +6.8% | 420 | 5,260 | $22.96 |
| Diesel mechanic | +6.4% | 470 | 5,330 | $25.16 |
| Welder | +6.1% | 820 | 7,710 | $23.06 |
| Millwright | +4.6% | 100 | 1,080 | $27.07 |
| Cement mason | +3.3% | 180 | 2,540 | $22.23 |
| Machinist | +2.2% | 240 | 2,400 | $24.59 |
| Boilermaker | -9.2% | 0 | 60 | $36.93 |
Source: Arkansas long-term occupational projections via Projections Central; state counts include the self-employed. Projections, not guarantees; see each trade page for the national BLS outlook.
Construction jobs in Arkansas
Prevailing wage in Arkansas
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In Arkansas, 34 of 75 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $43.89/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in Arkansas?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $41.50 an hour in May 2025, followed by linemen ($39.16) and boilermakers ($36.93).
Which trades are in highest demand in Arkansas?
By projected growth between 2024 and 2034, solar installers (+23.9%), crane operators (+16.2%), electricians (+15.2%). By openings a year, construction laborers (1,150 a year), electricians (1,010 a year), welders (820 a year). The figures come from Arkansas's labor market agency via Projections Central and count replacement openings as well as new jobs.
How does Arkansas compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 27 trades listed, 1 pay above the national median in Arkansas and 26 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 86.9% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Arkansas.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-09.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).