OPERATING ENGINEER
Runs the big iron — cranes, excavators, bulldozers, graders. Solid pay, strong union, less brutal on the body than other construction trades. Arkansas is a right-to-work state — union density is lower than the national average, but licensed tradespeople still command solid wages on prevailing wage projects.
The License.
Most states issue a journeyman license (allows you to work under a licensed contractor) and a separate master or contractor license (allows you to pull permits and run your own business). The journeyman license typically requires completing your apprenticeship and passing a written exam; the master/contractor license requires additional field hours — usually 2 years as a journeyman — and a separate exam.
Requirements in Arkansas: confirm current hour and exam requirements directly with Arkansas Contractors Licensing Board. Rules update frequently and our data reflects published standards as of early 2025.
The Money.
Pay data for this trade in Arkansas. BLS metro-level data was not available for this combination. National medians shown below.
| Stage | Hourly range | Approx. annual |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 apprentice | $20–$30/hr | $40,000 – $60,000 |
| Journeyman scale | $38–$62/hr | $76,000 – $124,000 |
| BLS national median | — | $56,160 |
| BLS top 10% | — | $94,130 |
Arkansas is a right-to-work state. Union scale in major Arkansas metros typically runs 10–20% above the national median on public projects with prevailing wage requirements; non-union pay can run 15–30% below union scale on private work.
The Path.
In Arkansas, apprenticeships are administered through the federal RAPIDS system via the U.S. Department of Labor. To find registered programs, go to apprenticeship.gov and filter by state. Most joint apprenticeship training committees (JATCs) also accept direct applications.
- · International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE)
The Exam.
Most construction trade licenses at the contractor level require a business and law exam in addition to the trade exam. Arkansas may have this structure. Pass rates are not published uniformly — ask the licensing board directly for current data. Note: prevailing wage rules in Arkansas apply primarily to public projects — private-sector jobs in this right-to-work state are exempt.
Be honest about pass rates. Many licensing boards do not publish them. When they do, first-time pass rates for journeyman exams in the trades typically run 50–75%. Preparation time varies — most serious candidates spend 60–120 hours on exam prep. Use code books from the correct edition, not what's currently in print.
What recruiters won't tell you.
- 01Crane operator certification (NCCCO) is the differentiator. Get it.
- 02Layoffs between projects are normal. 'On the bench' time can be long.
- 03Non-union heavy equipment jobs often pay 30–40% less.