How to Become a CNC Machinist in Arkansas (2026)

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Arkansas employs about 2,150 cnc machinists earning a median $51,140 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most cnc machinists train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Arkansas.

Compare CNC Machinist 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.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)Tuition (published, per year)Median grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
163.8$7,334 in-state / $12,182 out-of-state$49,99838%Yes*117 mi
258.4$8,674 in-state / $14,668 out-of-state$49,75949%Yes*48 mi
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357.3$3,312 in-state / $4,752 out-of-state$50,12946%Yes*81 mi
455.3$4,776 in-state / $7,488 out-of-state$48,71555%Yes*119 mi
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554.5$3,630 in-state / $4,662 out-of-state$45,59766%Yes*71 mi
653.0$3,788 in-state / $4,388 out-of-state$33,96426%Yes*48 mi
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750.2$3,312 in-state / $4,776 out-of-state$39,32644%Yes*93 mi
849.5$3,336 in-state / $5,232 out-of-state$41,40442%Yes*28 mi
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947.4$3,216 in-state / $4,824 out-of-state$42,85058%Yes*122 mi
1047.0$3,504 in-state / $5,592 out-of-state$46,21042%Yes*95 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 2,150 cnc machinists according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $51,140 1. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 29,500 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a CNC Machinist in Arkansas, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Arkansas): $51,140 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a CNC Machinist in Arkansas

How to become a CNC Machinist in Arkansas? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for cnc machinists in Arkansas.

How long does it take? Most paths into the cnc machinist field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do cnc machinists earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Arkansas is $51,140 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,760 and experienced professionals can earn $78,400 or more 1.

How to Become a CNC Machinist in Arkansas

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Arkansas training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Arkansas that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
  4. Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to cnc machinists in Arkansas before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

CNC Machinist 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]

CNC Machinist Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

Machinists Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), machinists wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Memphis1,050$59,220$58,390$39,630$74,340
Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway340$54,930$53,800$37,780$66,980
Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers270$56,460$56,260$44,040$78,190
Fort Smith230$50,560$52,030$39,240$63,770
Texarkana140$49,310$50,160$33,860$68,080
Jonesboro80$51,220$52,110$33,830$68,130
Hot Springs60$50,560$50,160$35,430$60,010

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 cnc machinists in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 2,150 cnc machinists 1. Nationally, cnc machinist employment is projected to grow 0.0% 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 cnc machinists earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for cnc machinists in Arkansas is $51,140, which is $5,010 below the national median of $56,150 according to BLS data 1.

In Arkansas

Top local programs

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)