Do auto mechanics need a license in Arkansas?

No statewide license is required for auto mechanics in Arkansas. Most employers expect industry certifications such as ASE or OEM certification.

What apprenticeships are available for auto mechanics in Arkansas?

In Arkansas, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Arkansas Department of Career Education - Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become an Auto Mechanic in Arkansas (2026)

Q: How long does auto mechanic training take in Arkansas?

Most people become an Auto Mechanic in Arkansas through a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship.

Q: How much do auto mechanics earn in Arkansas?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), auto mechanics in Arkansas earned a median annual wage of approximately $44,160. Employment concentration in Arkansas is about 1.24 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for auto mechanics in Arkansas?

Arkansas currently employs approximately 7,310 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 4.2% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Arkansas automotive service technicians and mechanics earn a median annual wage of $44,160 ($21.23/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 7,310 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -12.8% below the national median of $50,620 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $44,160 ($21.23/hr)
25th percentile: $35,760 per year
75th percentile: $57,910 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $75,600 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $30,320 per year
Workers employed in Arkansas: 7,310
Versus national median: -12.8% below the U.S. median of $50,620
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.24 - this occupation is more concentrated in Arkansas than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Arkansas employs about 7,310 auto mechanics earning a median $44,160 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an Auto Mechanic here means completing a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship.

Compare Auto Mechanic Schools in Arkansas

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Arkansas Tech University	58.4	$8,674 in-state / $14,668 out-of-state	$49,759	49%	Yes*	48 mi
2	Ozarka College	57.5	$3,820 in-state / $6,820 out-of-state	$46,188	47%	Yes*	80 mi
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3	Arkansas State University-Newport	57.3	$3,312 in-state / $4,752 out-of-state	$50,129	46%	Yes*	81 mi
4	Arkansas State University Three Rivers	53.0	$3,788 in-state / $4,388 out-of-state	$33,964	26%	Yes*	48 mi
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5	Arkansas State University-Mountain Home	50.2	$3,312 in-state / $4,776 out-of-state	$39,326	44%	Yes*	93 mi
6	University of Arkansas at Monticello	49.8	$9,292 in-state / $14,857 out-of-state	$48,735	49%	Yes*	100 mi
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7	Arkansas State University-Beebe	49.5	$3,336 in-state / $5,232 out-of-state	$41,404	42%	Yes*	28 mi
8	University of Arkansas Community College-Morrilton	49.1	$3,648 in-state / $4,728 out-of-state	$43,385	42%	Yes*	24 mi
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9	North Arkansas College	47.0	$3,504 in-state / $5,592 out-of-state	$46,210	42%	Yes*	95 mi
10	East Arkansas Community College	44.3	$3,300 in-state / $4,380 out-of-state	$42,176	51%	Yes*	91 mi
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Arkansas employs approximately 7,310 auto mechanics according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $44,160 ¹. The state’s concentration of auto mechanic jobs is 1.24x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, auto mechanic employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 70,000 openings per year ². This page covers how to become an Auto Mechanic in Arkansas, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade-school or community-college program in the specialty (find programs)
Typical timeline: a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship
Exam: ASE or OEM certification
Median wage (Arkansas): $44,160 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become an Auto Mechanic in Arkansas

How to become an Auto Mechanic in Arkansas? Complete a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.

How long does it take? Most people finish a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.

Do I need a license in Arkansas? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect ASE or OEM certification. See the licensing section below.

What do auto mechanics earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for auto mechanics in Arkansas is $44,160 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $30,320 and experienced professionals can earn $75,600 or more ¹.

How to Become an Auto Mechanic in Arkansas

Meet program entry rules. Programs typically require a high school diploma or GED.
Complete a specialty program. Finish an automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program. Some union shops use apprenticeships; the default national path is a certificate plus ASE, not DAS as the only option.
Earn ASE or OEM credentials. Pass ASE tests or OEM training the employer requires. Some states add a separate smog or emissions credential; it is not the whole mechanic license.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.

Auto Mechanic License Requirements in Arkansas

Most states do not license auto, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision techs as a statewide journeyman card. Employers expect ASE or OEM credentials. Some states add a smog or emissions credential.

Typical path

Complete a specialty program.
Earn ASE or OEM credentials.
Add a state smog or emissions credential only if that state and the job require one.

Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.

Auto Mechanic Apprenticeship Information in Arkansas

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Arkansas’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Arkansas Department of Career Education - Registered Apprenticeship ³.

Contact Information:

Office: Arkansas Office of Skills Development
Address: 1 Commerce Way, Little Rock, AR 72202
Phone: (501) 683-1152
Email: [email protected]

Auto Mechanic Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), automotive service technicians and mechanics wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Memphis	2,980	$50,490	$54,920	$34,930	$82,370
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway	2,160	$46,130	$50,230	$30,770	$78,280
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers	1,520	$46,840	$50,890	$31,140	$77,710
Fort Smith	550	$42,030	$46,970	$30,270	$67,360
Texarkana	410	$44,940	$48,420	$29,460	$75,870
Jonesboro	350	$44,830	$48,600	$30,030	$75,320
Hot Springs	260	$40,430	$46,210	$29,710	$72,350

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for auto mechanics in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 7,310 auto mechanics ¹. Nationally, auto mechanic employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Arkansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Arkansas. You can also contact the Arkansas Department of Career Education - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do auto mechanics earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for auto mechanics in Arkansas is $44,160, which is $5,510 below the national median of $49,670 according to BLS data ¹.

In Arkansas

Best Trade Schools in Arkansas (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Arkansas

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Arkansas Department of Career Education - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)