Highest-paying trades in Arkansas
27 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
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 |
Construction jobs in Arkansas
68.3kConstruction jobs2026-08
+2.2%Change over 12 months
+22.0%Change over 5 years
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 electrical power-line installers and repairers ($39.16) and boilermakers ($36.93).
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 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).