BLS May 2025
Mechanic Salary in Arkansas
Arkansas stays ahead of just 2 states on mechanic pay. For automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023), the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 median is $44,160 a year, $6,460 below the national median of $50,620, and 7,310 wage and salary jobs sit behind it. Fort Smith, AR-OK and Memphis, TN-MS-AR sit 20 percent apart, $42,030 against $50,490.
By Trevor Rupe, Contributor at Savo Media Group
At a Glance
- 48th of 50 states on median pay for automotive service technicians and mechanics (SOC 49-3023), $44,160 against $50,620 nationally.
- $65,420 for aircraft mechanics, 48 percent over automotive technicians.
- 17 ranked programs, led by Northwest Technical Institute in Springdale, AR.
Mechanic Employment 24 Percent Above the National Rate in Arkansas
The technician share is 5.6 per 1,000 jobs, a share 24 percent above the national one; the location quotient is 1.24. That puts Arkansas 9th among 50 states on concentration.
Diesel mechanics are the most concentrated trade with a quotient of 1.68, and aircraft mechanics the least at 0.62. They are far more common here than nationally.
Memphis, TN-MS-AR Pays 20 Percent More Than Fort Smith, AR-OK
7 metropolitan areas reach into Arkansas, and Memphis, TN-MS-AR is the largest with 2,980 jobs. Its $50,490 median is $6,330 above the $44,160 state median.
Memphis, TN-MS-AR leads on both jobs and pay, $50,490 next to $42,030 in Fort Smith, AR-OK among areas with at least 500 jobs.
4 nonmetropolitan areas add 2,220 jobs (30 percent of 7,310), all under the $44,160 state median at $37,630 to $41,600, while the best metro clears the best of them by $8,890.
3 of the 7 areas, led by Memphis, TN-MS-AR, extend into TN and MS and carry one figure for the whole area.
| Area | Median | Against Arkansas | 10th to 90th percentile | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $50,490 | +$6,330 | $34,930 to $82,370 | 2,980 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $46,130 | +$1,970 | $30,770 to $78,280 | 2,160 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $46,840 | +$2,680 | $31,140 to $77,710 | 1,520 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $42,030 | -$2,130 | $30,270 to $67,360 | 550 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $44,940 | +$780 | $29,460 to $75,870 | 410 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $44,830 | +$670 | $30,030 to $75,320 | 350 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $40,430 | -$3,730 | $29,710 to $72,350 | 260 |
| North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $41,600 | -$2,560 | $29,970 to $74,990 | 750 |
| South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $39,090 | -$5,070 | $29,020 to $74,360 | 540 |
| West Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $37,870 | -$6,290 | $29,410 to $71,830 | 510 |
| East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $37,630 | -$6,530 | $30,020 to $62,400 | 420 |
17 Ranked Mechanic Programs in Arkansas
Arkansas has 17 ranked programs at 12 schools: 9 automotive, 2 diesel, 2 collision repair and 4 aviation maintenance. The top scorer is Northwest Technical Institute in Springdale, AR at 58.1 out of 100 in diesel.
Among 17 priced programs the range is $2,570 per year, in-district at Arkansas Northeastern College (Blytheville, AR) to $8,674 annually, in-state at Arkansas Tech University (Russellville, AR).
2 ranked programs are in Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR, where the median is $46,130.
- Northwest Technical Institute Springdale, AR, diesel, score 58.1, #31 of 76
- Arkansas State University Mid-South West Memphis, AR, aviation maintenance, score 56.6, #55 of 148
- Northwest Technical Institute Springdale, AR, automotive, score 53.6, #176 of 415
- North Arkansas College Harrison, AR, collision repair, score 51.2, #37 of 59
- Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR, automotive, score 49.3, #236 of 415
- Southern Arkansas University Tech Camden, AR, aviation maintenance, score 48.7, #93 of 148
- Arkansas Tech University Russellville, AR, collision repair, score 48.5, #41 of 59
- Arkansas Northeastern College Blytheville, AR, aviation maintenance, score 47.9, #100 of 148
- North Arkansas College Harrison, AR, automotive, score 47.2, #278 of 415
- Black River Technical College Pocahontas, AR, automotive, score 44.5, #317 of 415
- University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College North Little Rock, AR, automotive, score 43.5, #333 of 415
- South Arkansas College El Dorado, AR, automotive, score 41.4, #354 of 415
Best Mechanic Schools in Arkansas, with 17 programs ranked in the state
Aircraft Mechanics Out-Earn Auto Mechanics by $21,260 in Arkansas
Aircraft mechanics sit at $65,420 with 720 jobs behind it, 48 percent above automotive technicians at $44,160. Auto mechanics rank last of the 5 trades.
| Trade | Arkansas median | U.S. median | Rank of 50 | Jobs | Best metro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft Mechanic | $65,420 | $79,870 | 44th | 720 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR, $92,180 |
| Heavy Equipment Mechanic | $60,530 | $65,510 | 45th | 1,190 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR, $62,670 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $52,330 | $61,770 | 48th | 4,090 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR, $61,360 |
| Collision Repair Technician | $49,310 | $54,890 | 37th | 1,140 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR, $55,960 |
| Auto Mechanic | $44,160 | $50,620 | 48th | 7,310 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR, $50,490 |
Aircraft mechanics ($65,420, -$14,450), heavy equipment mechanics ($60,530, -$4,980), diesel mechanics ($52,330, -$9,440) and collision repair technicians ($49,310, -$5,580) fall short of their national medians.
Nationally, diesel mechanics rank 48th of 50 at $52,330, the softest of the trades here.
In Memphis, TN-MS-AR, aircraft mechanics come to $92,180, the best metro figure for the trade in Arkansas.
A $6,460 Shortfall Against National Mechanic Salary in Arkansas
$30,320 at the 10th percentile is $4,340 below the nation, and $75,600 at the 90th percentile is $6,190 below the nation. $45,280 from bottom tenth to top tenth lands within $1,850 of the national one. Arkansas ranks 46th of 50 states at the 90th percentile.
| Measure | Arkansas | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $30,320 | $34,660 | -$4,340 |
| 25th percentile | $35,760 | $38,900 | -$3,140 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $44,160 | $50,620 | -$6,460 |
| 75th percentile | $57,910 | $70,430 | -$12,520 |
| 90th percentile | $75,600 | $81,790 | -$6,190 |
| Mean | $48,420 | $56,420 | -$8,000 |
| Wage and salary jobs | 7,310 | 704,640 |
The middle half of Arkansas mechanics earn $35,760 to $57,910, both below the national pair (-$3,140, -$12,520).
The average, $48,420, climbs $4,260 over the median on the strength of top earnings.
The 10th percentile figure of $30,320 marks a spot in the pay distribution, not entry pay.
Arkansas Between Kentucky and Mississippi on Mechanic Pay
Kentucky is the closest, at $44,890, $730 more; Mississippi sits farther down at $37,820, $6,340 away.
5 other states are within $2,500 of $44,160; 1 are inside $1,000.
Questions About Mechanic Salary in Arkansas
What is the mechanic salary in Arkansas?
A $44,160 median, or $21.23 an hour, which is $6,460 below the nation. At the bottom tenth it is $30,320, at the top tenth $75,600.
Is the largest metro area also the best-paying in Arkansas?
Yes. Memphis, TN-MS-AR has 2,980 jobs and a $50,490 median, $6,330 over the state and $8,460 over Fort Smith, AR-OK.
Which mechanic school in Arkansas ranks highest?
Northwest Technical Institute in Springdale, AR, with 58.1 points, from 17 ranked programs.
The figures here are the Bureau of Labor Statistics median for wage and salary workers, so the mechanic salary in Arkansas for any one job depends on the employer, the metro area and the trade.
Sources for Mechanic Salary in Arkansas
- BLS OEWS, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics May 2025, read October 23, 2026.
- BLS OEWS technical notes Wage and salary workers only.