SOC 51-4041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Machinists — West Arkansas
West Arkansas nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
In West Arkansas, AR the median wage is $48,070.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In West Arkansas, AR the median wage is $48,070. That is 18.2% lower than the national median of $58,750. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $45,990 and $57,050. The lowest tenth earn under $39,990, while the highest tenth earn more than $61,380.
The area has 260 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.64 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Fayetteville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $56,460. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 124th of 284 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,990 | −31.9% |
| 25th | $45,990 | −21.7% |
| Median (50th) | $48,070 | −18.2% |
| 75th | $57,050 | −2.9% |
| 90th | $61,380 | +4.5% |
| Mean | $50,490 | −14.1% |
Other metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $56,460 | 270 | |
| 2 | Little Rock | $54,930 | 340 | |
| 3 | Jonesboro | $51,220 | 80 | |
| 4 | Fort Smith | $50,560 | 230 | |
| 5 | Hot Springs | $50,560 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $48,070 goes as far as $55,316 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,070as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$55,316US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,070 a year, 18.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,990 to $61,380 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 260 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fayetteville, at $56,460.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Machinists in West Arkansas, AR?
The median annual wage is $48,070, or $23.11 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 $58,750, so pay in West Arkansas, AR is 18.2% lower. 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 West Arkansas, AR earns more than $61,380 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,990 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 Fayetteville, at $56,460 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 260 jobs in this occupation in West Arkansas, AR. 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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