SOC 51-9011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders — Arkansas
Arkansas · 2 metro areas compared
In Arkansas the median wage for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders is $64,440 a year, which is 11.0% higher than the national figure of $58,040.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Arkansas the median wage for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders is $64,440 a year, which is 11.0% higher than the national figure of $58,040. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $47,860 and $82,280. The lowest tenth earn under $41,800, while the highest tenth earn more than $87,560.
The area has 1,160 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.99 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Arkansas ranks number 9th out of 47 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Little Rock records the highest median at $45,340. Of the 673 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 172nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,800 | −28.0% |
| 25th | $47,860 | −17.5% |
| Median (50th) | $64,440 | +11.0% |
| 75th | $82,280 | +41.8% |
| 90th | $87,560 | +50.9% |
| Mean | $64,900 | +11.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Rock | $45,340 | 150 | |
| 2 | Fort Smith | $40,820 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $64,440 goes as far as $74,154 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 27.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$64,440as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$74,154US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $64,440 a year, 11.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $41,800 to $87,560 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,160 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 9th of 47 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Little Rock, at $45,340.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders in Arkansas?
The median annual wage is $64,440, or $30.98 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $58,040, so pay in Arkansas is 11.0% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Arkansas earns more than $87,560 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $41,800 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Little Rock, at $45,340 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,160 jobs in this occupation in Arkansas. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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