SOC 47-2071 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators — Arkansas
Arkansas · 3 metro areas compared
In Arkansas the median wage is $44,010.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Arkansas the median wage is $44,010. That is 17.5% lower than the national median of $53,340. Pay ranges from under $35,890 at the tenth percentile to more than $50,650 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $38,050 to $48,690.
Employment stands at 490, or 0.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Arkansas ranks number 47th out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Fayetteville records the highest median at $47,540. Of the 673 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 428th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,890 | −32.7% |
| 25th | $38,050 | −28.7% |
| Median (50th) | $44,010 | −17.5% |
| 75th | $48,690 | −8.7% |
| 90th | $50,650 | −5.0% |
| Mean | $44,060 | −17.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville | $47,540 | 100 | |
| 2 | Little Rock | $46,550 | 140 | |
| 3 | Fort Smith | $37,210 | 30 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $44,010 goes as far as $50,644 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$44,010as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,644US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $44,010 a year, 17.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,890 to $50,650 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 490 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 47th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fayetteville, at $47,540.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators in Arkansas?
The median annual wage is $44,010, or $21.16 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 $53,340, so pay in Arkansas is 17.5% 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 Arkansas earns more than $50,650 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,890 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 $47,540 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 490 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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