Crane operator salary in Arkansas
Median $20.00 an hour for 880 crane operators, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.
Crane operator pay in Arkansas: the full range
Arkansas ranks 50th of 50 states for median crane operator pay, and 50th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $23.01). 880 crane operators work in the state. The top 10% earn 1.8× what the bottom 10% earn.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry level | $17.27 – $17.79 | $35,920 – $37,000 | roughly the 10th to 25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $17.79 – $22.14 | $37,000 – $46,060 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master, foreman or specialist | $22.14 – $30.82 | $46,060 – $64,100 | the 75th to 90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Crane operator pay by metro in Arkansas
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | Cost-of-living adjusted | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $18.29 | $25.77 | $27.95 | $39.72 | 110 | 29% above |
| Fayetteville | $20.81 | $22.32 | $24.42 | $37.27 | — | 12% above |
| Fort Smith | $18.94 | $21.31 | $24.81 | $30.82 | 90 | 7% above |
| Little Rock | $18.55 | $20.37 | $22.79 | $24.60 | — | 2% above |
Cost-of-living adjusted: median divided by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100).
Crane operator wages in Arkansas over time
Table
| Year | Arkansas $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $11.50 | $22.22 | $15.29 | 510 |
| 2000 | $13.88 | $25.95 | $15.89 | 560 |
| 2001 | $13.56 | $24.65 | $16.64 | 630 |
| 2002 | $13.17 | $23.57 | $17.47 | 540 |
| 2003 | $13.30 | $23.27 | $17.86 | 550 |
| 2004 | $14.83 | $25.27 | $17.99 | 640 |
| 2005 | $15.25 | $25.14 | $18.69 | 540 |
| 2006 | $14.99 | $23.94 | $18.77 | 610 |
| 2007 | $15.50 | $24.07 | $19.36 | 590 |
| 2008 | $16.28 | $24.34 | $20.13 | 560 |
| 2009 | $16.97 | $25.47 | $21.22 | 670 |
| 2010 | $17.92 | $26.46 | $22.23 | 550 |
| 2011 | $15.93 | $22.80 | $22.34 | 800 |
| 2012 | $16.27 | $22.81 | $22.73 | 950 |
| 2013 | $17.14 | $23.69 | $23.38 | 1,190 |
| 2014 | $18.96 | $25.78 | $24.39 | 970 |
| 2015 | $21.34 | $28.99 | $24.83 | 700 |
| 2016 | $19.88 | $26.67 | $25.08 | 430 |
| 2017 | $19.61 | $25.76 | $25.10 | 440 |
| 2018 | $17.63 | $22.60 | $26.03 | 500 |
| 2019 | $20.74 | $26.12 | $27.26 | 730 |
| 2020 | $22.17 | $27.58 | $28.71 | 700 |
| 2021 | $23.96 | $28.47 | $29.92 | 500 |
| 2022 | $21.11 | $23.22 | $29.49 | 790 |
| 2023 | $23.64 | $24.98 | $31.10 | 820 |
| 2024 | $20.27 | $20.80 | $31.91 | 670 |
| 2025 | $20.00 | $20.00 | $32.73 | 880 |
In today's dollars, the median crane operator wage in Arkansas changed by -31.0% over the last ten years of data and by -23.4% since 2019.
Are there more crane operator jobs in Arkansas?
BLS counted 880 crane operators in Arkansas in May 2025, an estimate with a relative standard error of 23%. With fewer than 3,000 jobs or a wide margin of error, year-to-year changes are within the survey's noise and are not shown as a trend.
Outlook for crane operators in Arkansas
Arkansas's labor market agency projects the number of crane operators in the state to change by +16.2% between 2024 and 2034, from 690 to 800, with about 80 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +3.8% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed and use a different base year, so they do not match the 880 counted by the BLS employer survey.
Source: Arkansas labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).
Union scale and prevailing wage for crane operators in Arkansas
On federally funded construction in Arkansas, contractors must pay crane operators at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 55 of the 75 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $49.25 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $17.52). 20 of the 75 counties still use a survey rate dated 2017 or earlier (for example Benton County at $17.52). The market median for the state is $20.00.
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260018 |
| Ashley | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260018 |
| Baxter | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260019 |
| Boone | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260019 |
| Bradley | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260018 |
| Calhoun | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260020 |
| Carroll | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260019 |
| Chicot | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260018 |
| Clark | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260020 |
| Clay | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260021 |
| Cleburne | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260022 |
| Columbia | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260020 |
| Conway | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260019 |
| Cross | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260021 |
| Dallas | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260020 |
| Desha | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260018 |
| Drew | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260004 |
| Franklin | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260019 |
| Fulton | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260021 |
| Greene | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260005 |
| Hempstead | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260020 |
| Hot Spring | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260006 |
| Howard | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260020 |
| Independence | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260007 |
| Izard | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260022 |
| Jackson | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260021 |
| Johnson | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260008 |
| Lafayette | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260020 |
| Lawrence | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260022 |
| Lee | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260022 |
| Logan | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260019 |
| Marion | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260019 |
| Mississippi | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260022 |
| Monroe | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260022 |
| Montgomery | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260020 |
| Nevada | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260009 |
| Newton | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260019 |
| Ouachita | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260020 |
| Phillips | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260018 |
| Pike | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260020 |
| Polk | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260010 |
| Pope | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260011 |
| Prairie | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260018 |
| Randolph | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260012 |
| St. Francis | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260022 |
| Scott | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260019 |
| Searcy | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260019 |
| Sevier | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260020 |
| Sharp | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260022 |
| Stone | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260022 |
| Union | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260013 |
| Van Buren | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260014 |
| White | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260015 |
| Woodruff | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260016 |
| Yell | Union ENGI0624-006 2024-01-01 | $34.25 | $15.00 | $49.25 | AR20260017 |
| Benton | Survey SUAR2015-020 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260023 |
| Cleveland | Survey SUAR2015-033 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260036 |
| Craighead | Survey SUAR2015-021 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260024 |
| Crawford | Survey SUAR2015-022 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260025 |
| Crittenden | Survey SUAR2015-023 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260026 |
| Faulkner | Survey SUAR2015-024 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260027 |
| Garland | Survey SUAR2015-025 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260028 |
| Grant | Survey SUAR2015-034 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260037 |
| Jefferson | Survey SUAR2015-033 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260036 |
| Lincoln | Survey SUAR2015-033 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260036 |
| Little River | Survey SUAR2015-035 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260038 |
| Lonoke | Survey SUAR2015-026 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260029 |
| Madison | Survey SUAR2015-027 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260030 |
| Miller | Survey SUAR2015-035 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260038 |
| Perry | Survey SUAR2015-034 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260037 |
| Poinsett | Survey SUAR2015-028 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260031 |
| Pulaski | Survey SUAR2015-029 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260032 |
| Saline | Survey SUAR2015-030 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260033 |
| Sebastian | Survey SUAR2015-031 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260034 |
| Washington | Survey SUAR2015-032 2017-01-09 | $17.52 | $0.00 | $17.52 | AR20260035 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Arkansas prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in Arkansas?
Contractor pay by county
Average pay at specialty trade contractors establishments by county (all employees, not just crane operators), from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages. Across the 60 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 28,946 in 2015 to 39,465 in 2025, +36.3%.
| County | Establishments | Employees | Average annual pay | Avg weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mississippi County | 32 | 932 | $85,257 | $1,640 |
| Union County | 46 | 648 | $82,147 | $1,580 |
| Lawrence County | 20 | 128 | $80,802 | $1,554 |
| Grant County | 39 | 319 | $79,574 | $1,530 |
| Pulaski County | 611 | 6,605 | $70,446 | $1,355 |
| Greene County | 50 | 371 | $66,953 | $1,288 |
| Washington County | 477 | 5,917 | $66,623 | $1,281 |
| Craighead County | 193 | 1,879 | $65,719 | $1,264 |
| Benton County | 652 | 5,746 | $65,634 | $1,262 |
| Conway County | 42 | 444 | $64,241 | $1,235 |
| Little River County | 8 | 27 | $63,193 | $1,215 |
| Pope County | 110 | 661 | $62,920 | $1,210 |
| Independence County | 44 | 379 | $62,480 | $1,202 |
| Sevier County | 13 | 149 | $61,946 | $1,191 |
| Saline County | 267 | 1,997 | $61,824 | $1,189 |
| Jackson County | 13 | 77 | $60,329 | $1,160 |
| Miller County | 51 | 398 | $59,802 | $1,150 |
| Drew County | 20 | 133 | $59,080 | $1,136 |
| Clark County | 18 | 67 | $58,887 | $1,132 |
| Crittenden County | 23 | 192 | $58,215 | $1,120 |
| Faulkner County | 284 | 2,217 | $58,112 | $1,118 |
| Boone County | 57 | 424 | $57,053 | $1,097 |
| Izard County | 16 | 86 | $56,512 | $1,087 |
| Polk County | 28 | 163 | $56,509 | $1,087 |
| Sebastian County | 187 | 1,856 | $56,239 | $1,082 |
| Lonoke County | 126 | 748 | $55,769 | $1,072 |
| Logan County | 26 | 139 | $54,699 | $1,052 |
| St. Francis County | 18 | 123 | $54,692 | $1,052 |
| Garland County | 275 | 1,621 | $53,634 | $1,031 |
| Carroll County | 60 | 330 | $53,016 | $1,020 |
| Crawford County | 105 | 645 | $52,661 | $1,013 |
| Madison County | 39 | 178 | $52,159 | $1,003 |
| Sharp County | 20 | 131 | $52,113 | $1,002 |
| White County | 122 | 838 | $51,850 | $997 |
| Cross County | 18 | 77 | $51,758 | $995 |
| Prairie County | 10 | 50 | $51,310 | $987 |
| Desha County | 10 | 43 | $51,219 | $985 |
| Howard County | 10 | 90 | $50,968 | $980 |
| Jefferson County | 67 | 301 | $50,803 | $977 |
| Columbia County | 22 | 91 | $50,149 | $964 |
| Hempstead County | 16 | 73 | $49,714 | $956 |
| Arkansas County | 23 | 129 | $49,128 | $945 |
| Marion County | 31 | 66 | $48,253 | $928 |
| Perry County | 18 | 62 | $47,243 | $909 |
| Cleburne County | 46 | 206 | $46,674 | $898 |
| Yell County | 32 | 221 | $46,554 | $895 |
| Baxter County | 97 | 484 | $45,481 | $875 |
| Poinsett County | 22 | 71 | $45,466 | $874 |
| Clay County | 21 | 104 | $45,150 | $868 |
| Phillips County | 13 | 37 | $44,798 | $862 |
| Johnson County | 34 | 190 | $44,285 | $852 |
| Calhoun County | 7 | 13 | $43,764 | $842 |
| Fulton County | 14 | 32 | $42,964 | $826 |
| Hot Spring County | 56 | 212 | $41,493 | $798 |
| Van Buren County | 25 | 74 | $41,040 | $789 |
| Montgomery County | 18 | 41 | $40,654 | $782 |
| Lincoln County | 10 | 37 | $39,638 | $762 |
| Randolph County | 16 | 33 | $38,346 | $737 |
| Stone County | 18 | 32 | $37,631 | $724 |
| Ashley County | 16 | 61 | $36,973 | $711 |
| Franklin County | 27 | 77 | $36,266 | $697 |
| Pike County | 14 | 49 | $30,731 | $591 |
| Bradley County | — | — | — | — |
| Chicot County | — | — | — | — |
| Cleveland County | — | — | — | — |
| Dallas County | — | — | — | — |
| Lafayette County | — | — | — | — |
| Lee County | — | — | — | — |
| Monroe County | — | — | — | — |
| Nevada County | — | — | — | — |
| Newton County | — | — | — | — |
| Ouachita County | — | — | — | — |
| Scott County | — | — | — | — |
| Searcy County | — | — | — | — |
| Woodruff County | — | — | — | — |
Keep comparing
Crane operator pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Arkansas
More on Arkansas
Questions this page answers
How much do crane operators make in Arkansas?
The median crane operator in Arkansas earned $20.00 an hour ($41,600 a year) in May 2025, 39% below the national median of $32.73. The middle half earn $17.79–$22.14; the top 10% earn more than $30.82.
Where does Arkansas rank for crane operator pay?
Arkansas ranks 50th of 50 states for crane operator pay, with a median of $20.00 an hour, and 50th after adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living (BEA price parity 86.9, US = 100).
What is the union crane operator rate in Arkansas?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for crane operators in 55 counties, with a typical package of $49.25 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many crane operators work in Arkansas?
BLS counted 880 crane operators in Arkansas in May 2025, 0.7 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 2.45; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Is crane operator work growing in Arkansas?
Arkansas's labor market agency projects +16.2% growth for crane operators between 2024 and 2034, from 690 to 800 jobs.
How many crane operator openings a year are there in Arkansas?
Arkansas projects about 80 openings a year for crane operators over 2024–2034, counting both new positions and replacements for people who retire or change occupation. Nationally BLS projects about 3,500 a year.
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Arkansas and metro areas, SOC 53-7021. Job counts are survey estimates and exclude the self-employed.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-09.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Not the official determination.
- BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35.
- State projection: Arkansas labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.