Machinist salary in Arkansas
Median $24.59 an hour for 2,150 machinists, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.
Machinist pay in Arkansas: the full range
Arkansas ranks 47th of 51 states for median machinist pay, and 34th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $28.30). 2,150 machinists work in the state.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry | $18.15 – $21.77 | $37,760 – $45,280 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $21.77 – $29.51 | $45,280 – $61,380 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $29.51 – $37.69 | $61,380 – $78,400 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Machinist pay by metro in Arkansas
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $19.05 | $28.47 | $35.74 | 1,050 | 16% above |
| Fayetteville | $21.17 | $27.14 | $37.59 | 270 | 10% above |
| Little Rock | $18.16 | $26.41 | $32.20 | 340 | 7% above |
| Jonesboro | $16.26 | $24.63 | $32.76 | 80 | about the same as |
| Fort Smith | $18.86 | $24.31 | $30.66 | 230 | 1% below |
| Hot Springs | $17.04 | $24.31 | $28.85 | 60 | 1% below |
| Texarkana | $16.28 | $23.71 | $32.73 | 140 | 4% below |
Machinist wages in Arkansas over time
Table
| Year | Arkansas $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $12.88 | $24.89 | $14.30 | 3,430 |
| 2000 | $13.17 | $24.62 | $14.78 | 3,740 |
| 2001 | $14.10 | $25.63 | $15.43 | 3,710 |
| 2002 | $13.89 | $24.86 | $15.66 | 3,580 |
| 2003 | $13.85 | $24.23 | $15.91 | 3,770 |
| 2004 | $13.92 | $23.72 | $16.33 | 3,480 |
| 2005 | $14.14 | $23.31 | $16.51 | 3,930 |
| 2006 | $15.31 | $24.45 | $16.71 | 3,770 |
| 2007 | $15.58 | $24.19 | $16.94 | 3,950 |
| 2008 | $16.54 | $24.73 | $17.41 | 3,660 |
| 2009 | $16.69 | $25.05 | $18.10 | 3,120 |
| 2010 | $16.52 | $24.39 | $18.52 | 3,720 |
| 2011 | $16.45 | $23.54 | $18.86 | 4,000 |
| 2012 | $16.40 | $23.00 | $18.99 | 3,320 |
| 2013 | $17.33 | $23.95 | $19.03 | 2,970 |
| 2014 | $18.00 | $24.48 | $19.22 | 2,730 |
| 2015 | $17.84 | $24.23 | $19.49 | 2,850 |
| 2016 | $18.41 | $24.69 | $20.05 | 2,680 |
| 2017 | $18.44 | $24.22 | $20.48 | 2,670 |
| 2018 | $19.37 | $24.83 | $20.97 | 2,840 |
| 2019 | $19.20 | $24.18 | $21.36 | 2,800 |
| 2020 | $20.03 | $24.92 | $22.04 | 2,370 |
| 2021 | $21.14 | $25.12 | $22.95 | 2,480 |
| 2022 | $21.69 | $23.86 | $23.32 | 2,270 |
| 2023 | $22.42 | $23.69 | $24.44 | 2,230 |
| 2024 | $23.47 | $24.09 | $27.00 | 2,390 |
| 2025 | $24.59 | $24.59 | $28.24 | 2,150 |
In today's dollars, the median machinist wage in Arkansas changed by +1.5% over the last ten years of data.
Is construction work growing in Arkansas?
Keep comparing
Machinist pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Arkansas
Questions this page answers
How much do machinists make in Arkansas?
The median machinist in Arkansas earned $24.59 an hour ($51,140 a year) in May 2025, 13% below the national median of $28.24. The middle half earn $21.77–$29.51; the top 10% earn more than $37.69.
Where does Arkansas rank for machinist pay?
Arkansas ranks 47th of 51 states for machinist pay, with a median of $24.59 an hour, and 34th after adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living (BEA price parity 86.9, US = 100).
What is the union machinist rate in Arkansas?
Davis-Bacon determinations do not list a machinist classification for most Arkansas counties, or the trade is not covered; the BLS wage figures above are the best available measure.
How many machinists work in Arkansas?
BLS counted 2,150 machinists in Arkansas in May 2025, 1.6 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.89; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Arkansas and metro areas, SOC 51-4041.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-08.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Not the official determination.