SOC 51-2041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters — Arkansas
Arkansas · 2 metro areas compared
In Arkansas the median wage is $41,260.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Arkansas the median wage is $41,260. That is 19.6% lower than the national median of $51,330. Pay ranges from under $32,230 at the tenth percentile to more than $56,990 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $37,250 to $52,450.
The area has 640 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.46 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Arkansas ranks number 46th out of 47 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Fort Smith records the highest median at $47,780. Of the 673 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 459th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,230 | −37.2% |
| 25th | $37,250 | −27.4% |
| Median (50th) | $41,260 | −19.6% |
| 75th | $52,450 | +2.2% |
| 90th | $56,990 | +11.0% |
| Mean | $44,400 | −13.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fort Smith | $47,780 | 50 | |
| 2 | Little Rock | $43,430 | 180 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Arkansas run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $41,260 goes as far as $47,480 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 7.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$41,260as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$47,480US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $41,260 a year, 19.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $32,230 to $56,990 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 640 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 46th of 47 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fort Smith, at $47,780.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters in Arkansas?
The median annual wage is $41,260, or $19.84 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 $51,330, so pay in Arkansas is 19.6% 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 $56,990 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $32,230 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 Fort Smith, at $47,780 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 640 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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