Mechanical Engineers in Arkansas. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Mechanical Engineers in Arkansas had a median annual wage of $78,570 in 2024, about 25% below the national median of $104,651. That is a notable gap, and the state's lower cost of living closes some of it. Arkansas's cost-of-living index sits at 88.3, meaning prices run roughly 12% below the US baseline. After accounting for that, the effective purchasing power of the median wage lands closer to $89,000 in national-dollar terms, which narrows the gap to around 15%.
The spread between the bottom and top of the pay range is wide. Engineers at the 10th percentile earned about $53,970 while those at the 90th earned $122,250. Top earners make roughly 2.3 times what entry-level peers do. That kind of range usually reflects real differences in how senior someone is, what sub-specialty they work in, and which industry is signing the checks.
Arkansas employs about 1,150 Mechanical Engineers, a relatively small base compared to industrial states like Texas or Ohio. Small employment pools tend to produce more variable wages, since a handful of large manufacturing or defense employers can move the average considerably. The mean of $84,370 sits above the median by about $5,800, which tells us a smaller group of higher-paid engineers pulls the average up.
BLS projects employment for Mechanical Engineers to grow 9% between 2024 and 2034, faster than average. That outlook applies nationally, and the Arkansas picture could diverge depending on how manufacturing investment in the region develops over that period.
Salary distribution
Where Arkansas mechanical engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $65,620 and $103,850, with a median of $80,180.
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Mechanical Engineers pay by experience level in Arkansas
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Arkansas over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.7 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Design
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Mechanical
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
- 02
Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
- 03
Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
- 04
Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs.
- 05
Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
- 06
Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification.
- 07
Recommend the use of utility or energy services that minimize carbon footprints.
- 08
Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+9.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Mechanical Engineers in Arkansas?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in Arkansas is $80,180.
- How does Arkansas compare to the national median for Mechanical Engineers?
- The Arkansas median is -25.5% versus the BLS national figure of $107,639.
- What is the salary range for Mechanical Engineers in Arkansas?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $57,650 and the 90th-percentile at $131,840, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Mechanical Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 9.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Mechanical Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.