Electrical Engineer Salary in Arkansas: $104,182 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median electrical engineer pay sits at $104,182/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2071. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $119,887 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Little Rock ($108,700), North Little Rock ($107,096), Conway ($106,391).
In 2026, the average median salary for electrical engineers in Arkansas is projected to be $104,182, which falls significantly below the national median of $125,033, representing a difference of -16.7%. The highest-paying city in the state is Little Rock, where salaries are expected to reach $112,668, while Fayetteville sits at the lower end with projected earnings of $86,993. This $25,675 salary gap can be attributed to factors such as local demand for engineering talent, cost of living variations, and the concentration of industries that rely heavily on electrical engineering expertise. Arkansas has specific licensing requirements that electrical engineers must navigate, including the need for Professional Engineer (PE) certification for those who wish to assume responsibility for engineering projects. The state’s growing sectors, particularly in technology and manufacturing, are driving demand for electrical engineers, with a projected growth rate of 3.65% from the previous year. Additionally, cities like North Little Rock ($111,005), Conway ($110,274), Fort Smith ($109,972), and Jacksonville ($107,869) enhance the job market for engineers. Overall, while salaries in Arkansas may be lower than the national average, the demand for skilled engineers provides a positive outlook for job opportunities in the coming years.
Arkansas Electrical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $55,067 (lowest entry-level) to $172,058 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas electrical engineers earn 16.68% less than the national median ($-20,851/year difference).
Arkansas Electrical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Electrical Engineer salaries in Arkansas range from $73,651 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $140,704 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $104,182. The Arkansas median is $20,851 below the US national median of $125,033. The average hourly rate is $50.09/hr. Approximately 732 electrical engineers are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$83,267
2025 BLS Actual
$100,513
2026 Current Est.
$104,182
2019–2027 Growth
+29.7%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $83,267 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,814 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,891 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,962 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,761 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,259 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,513 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,182 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,984 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 20.7% from $83,267 (2019) to $100,513 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,984 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,717 (29.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $86,993 |
| Springdale | $88,354 |
| Rogers | $88,417 |
| Jonesboro | $98,727 |
| Van Buren | $100,856 |
Best Value Cities for Electrical Engineers in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for electrical engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Little Rock | $111,005 | 86.9 | $127,739 |
| Conway | $110,274 | 86.9 | $126,898 |
| Fort Smith | $109,972 | 86.9 | $126,550 |
| Little Rock | $112,668 | 89.364 | $126,078 |
| Jacksonville | $107,869 | 86.9 | $124,130 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $73,651 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $104,182 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $140,704 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Rock | $112,668 |
| 2 | North Little Rock | $111,005 |
| 3 | Conway | $110,274 |
| 4 | Fort Smith | $109,972 |
| 5 | Jacksonville | $107,869 |
| 6 | Bentonville | $107,339 |
| 7 | Benton | $106,443 |
| 8 | Hot Springs | $106,342 |
| 9 | Texarkana | $106,258 |
| 10 | Paragould | $106,140 |
| 11 | Pine Bluff | $106,056 |
| 12 | Sherwood | $105,566 |
| 13 | Russellville | $105,010 |
| 14 | Cabot | $104,538 |
| 15 | Searcy | $103,446 |
| 16 | Bryant | $102,669 |
| 17 | Van Buren | $100,856 |
| 18 | Jonesboro | $98,727 |
| 19 | Rogers | $88,417 |
| 20 | Springdale | $88,354 |
| 21 | Fayetteville | $86,993 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore electrical engineer hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced electrical engineers.
Explore More Electrical Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for electrical engineers in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas electrical engineer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level electrical engineer salary in Arkansas?
How many electrical engineers are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for electrical engineers?
Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 electrical engineer compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more electrical engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov