Statewide pay Government data
Heavy equipment operators in Arkansas earn a statewide median of $44,520 a year, 25% below the typical U.S. metro, ranking #51 of 50 states and DC. About 5,800 people work in the trade statewide.
Statewide pay range
States ranked near Arkansas
See all states on the heavy equipment operators nationwide.
Pay by city Government data
| Metro | Median pay | Real pay | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| FayettevilleARKANSAS · AR | $50,090 | $54,831 | 900 |
| Little RockARKANSAS · AR | $46,290 | $51,799 | 1,230 |
| JonesboroARKANSAS · AR | $45,590 | $53,088 | 240 |
| Fort SmithARKANSAS · AR | $41,820 | $48,691 | 440 |
| Hot SpringsARKANSAS · AR | $37,760 | $44,045 | 250 |
Pay: BLS OEWS, May 2025 (metro-level). Real pay: BEA price parities, 2024. How we calculate
Pay outside the cities Government data
BLS also reports pay for Arkansas's rural (nonmetropolitan) regions.
BLS OEWS nonmetropolitan areas, May 2025.
The job (national)
Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.
Nationally, jobs are projected to grow 4.6% from 2025 to 2035, with about 39,200 openings a year. Typical training: moderate-term on-the-job training.
Nationally, heavy equipment operators have 78 injuries or illnesses serious enough to miss work per 10,000 full-time workers, about the same as all jobs (87). The most common cause is being struck by or caught in objects and equipment.
What the work is like Government data
How often heavy equipment operators deal with each condition, from surveys of workers in the job.
Getting started usually takes some preparation (high school plus months of training).
O*NET 31.0 Work Context and Job Zones (U.S. Department of Labor), national.
Licensing in Arkansas Official source
The main state licensing office in Arkansas is the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing. Home of the Contractors Licensing Board; some trades are licensed by other state agencies. It can point you to the right license for heavy equipment operators.
Official Arkansas licensing site ↗
Requirements for heavy equipment operators vary by state and sometimes by city; always confirm with the official agency.
Cities in Arkansas
All trades in Arkansas.