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Average salary by job family in Fort Smith
| Management | $97,650 |
|---|---|
| Legal | $87,710 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $85,730 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $82,090 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $79,320 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $69,220 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $68,160 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $53,030 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $52,610 |
| Community and Social Service | $50,580 |
| Protective Service | $46,540 |
| Construction and Extraction | $46,400 |
| Production | $44,880 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $44,870 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $42,800 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $41,910 |
| Sales and Related | $40,360 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $39,520 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $32,940 |
| Healthcare Support | $32,710 |
| Personal Care and Service | $32,140 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $28,320 |
Highest-paying jobs in Fort Smith
- Physicians, All Other$239,000
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers$165,710
- Dentists, General$154,550
- Chief Executives$144,750
- Pharmacists$136,970
- Purchasing Managers$136,460
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$133,670
- Nurse Practitioners$133,650
- Physician Assistants$131,270
- Lawyers$125,870
Most common jobs in Fort Smith and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Salespersons | 2,880 | $31,570 | $28,350 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 2,760 | $25,510 | $23,760 |
| General and Operations Managers | 2,320 | $90,270 | $70,330 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 2,240 | $34,070 | $32,050 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 2,240 | $28,390 | $28,410 |
| Registered Nurses | 2,180 | $77,970 | $79,870 |
| Cashiers | 2,180 | $27,680 | $27,480 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | 2,080 | $37,320 | $37,460 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 2,030 | $51,790 | $47,580 |
| Office Clerks, General | 1,900 | $38,210 | $37,100 |
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Cost of living in Fort Smith
Prices in the Fort Smith area are 14% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 85.9 for 2024. The average local salary of $50,300 therefore buys what $58,565 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $205,554, 3.6 times the median household income of $56,717.
$205,554typical home value
$56,717median household income
85.9BEA price parity
228,916metro population
Take-home pay in Fort Smith
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $30,820 | $26,291 | $2,191 |
| Median wage | $39,560 | $32,991 | $2,749 |
| Average wage | $50,300 | $41,223 | $3,435 |
| 75th percentile wage | $58,080 | $47,186 | $3,932 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Arkansas tax is estimated with the Department of Finance and Administration's 2026 withholding formula.
Salaries for every job in Fort Smith
Management23 jobs
- Chief Executives$145K
- Purchasing Managers$136K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$134K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$125K
- Sales Managers$122K
- Financial Managers$121K
- Industrial Production Managers$117K
- Human Resources Managers$116K
- Facilities Managers$110K
- Marketing Managers$109K
- Managers, All Other$104K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$100K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$98K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$97K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$96K
- Administrative Services Managers$92K
- General and Operations Managers$90K
- Construction Managers$83K
- Social and Community Service Managers$59K
- Lodging Managers$58K
- Food Service Managers$55K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$53K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$46K
Legal3 jobs
Architecture and Engineering6 jobs
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical27 jobs
- Physicians, All Other$239K
- Dentists, General$155K
- Pharmacists$137K
- Nurse Practitioners$134K
- Physician Assistants$131K
- Veterinarians$111K
- Optometrists$109K
- Physical Therapists$99K
- Occupational Therapists$96K
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$92K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$83K
- Dental Hygienists$82K
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$79K
- Registered Nurses$78K
- Therapists, All Other$75K
- Respiratory Therapists$74K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$65K
- Surgical Technologists$65K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$55K
- Paramedics$52K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$52K
- Opticians, Dispensing$45K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$44K
- Medical Records Specialists$42K
- Pharmacy Technicians$40K
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other$35K
- Psychiatric Technicians$33K
Computer and Mathematical9 jobs
- Computer Network Architects$120K
- Software Developers$108K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$98K
- Computer Programmers$93K
- Information Security Analysts$92K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$80K
- Computer Network Support Specialists$64K
- Computer Systems Analysts$56K
- Computer User Support Specialists$54K
Business and Financial Operations20 jobs
- Personal Financial Advisors$108K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$90K
- Loan Officers$79K
- Project Management Specialists$79K
- Management Analysts$79K
- Logisticians$76K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$75K
- Accountants and Auditors$72K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$69K
- Compliance Officers$68K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$67K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$63K
- Cost Estimators$63K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$62K
- Human Resources Specialists$59K
- Property Appraisers and Assessors$59K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$57K
- Training and Development Specialists$52K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$51K
- Tax Preparers$41K
Life, Physical, and Social Science2 jobs
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair18 jobs
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$89K
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$76K
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$71K
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$66K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$58K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$57K
- Maintenance Workers, Machinery$56K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$54K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$53K
- Millwrights$52K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$51K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$50K
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$48K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$48K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$47K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$44K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$34K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$33K
Educational Instruction and Library16 jobs
- Instructional Coordinators$72K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$65K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$63K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$62K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$61K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$59K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$59K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$59K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$58K
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School$57K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$54K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$41K
- Tutors$39K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$38K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$31K
- Library Technicians$28K
Community and Social Service9 jobs
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$65K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$64K
- Community Health Workers$60K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$59K
- Healthcare Social Workers$53K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$45K
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$44K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$34K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$30K
Protective Service10 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$73K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$56K
- First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$55K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$50K
- Private Detectives and Investigators$47K
- First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers$43K
- Firefighters$39K
- Security Guards$38K
- Correctional Officers and Jailers$35K
- School Bus Monitors$34K
Construction and Extraction17 jobs
- Construction and Building Inspectors$63K
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$60K
- Electricians$54K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$50K
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining$46K
- Sheet Metal Workers$45K
- Carpenters$45K
- Glaziers$44K
- Roofers$44K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$44K
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers$44K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$42K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$41K
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators$41K
- Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$39K
- Construction Laborers$39K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$35K
Production37 jobs
- Gas Plant Operators$82K
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$65K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$59K
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$55K
- Printing Press Operators$54K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$53K
- Machinists$52K
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49K
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$49K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$47K
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$47K
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$46K
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$45K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$45K
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters$45K
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45K
- Production Workers, All Other$44K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$44K
- Food Batchmakers$43K
- Food Processing Workers, All Other$43K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$42K
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$42K
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$42K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$41K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$39K
- Slaughterers and Meat Packers$39K
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$39K
- Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$38K
- Helpers--Production Workers$38K
- Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$37K
- Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners$37K
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$36K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$35K
- Sewing Machine Operators$31K
- Bakers$29K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$28K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media6 jobs
Office and Administrative Support31 jobs
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$63K
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$61K
- Postal Service Clerks$59K
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$55K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$54K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$50K
- Cargo and Freight Agents$49K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$46K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$46K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$45K
- New Accounts Clerks$45K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$43K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$43K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$43K
- Bill and Account Collectors$43K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$42K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$42K
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$42K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$40K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$40K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$40K
- Data Entry Keyers$40K
- Customer Service Representatives$40K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$39K
- Office Clerks, General$38K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$37K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$37K
- Tellers$34K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$34K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$33K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$28K
Transportation and Material Moving17 jobs
- Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers$166K
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$61K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$52K
- Crane and Tower Operators$49K
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$46K
- Bus Drivers, School$43K
- Light Truck Drivers$41K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$40K
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers$40K
- Driver/Sales Workers$40K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$39K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$37K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$37K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$35K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$34K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$34K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$34K
Sales and Related12 jobs
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$93K
- Insurance Sales Agents$85K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$76K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$66K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$60K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$59K
- Real Estate Sales Agents$46K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$44K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$40K
- Parts Salespersons$38K
- Retail Salespersons$32K
- Cashiers$28K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry1 jobs
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance6 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$54K
- Pest Control Workers$41K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$39K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$35K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$32K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$29K
Healthcare Support10 jobs
- Occupational Therapy Assistants$80K
- Physical Therapist Assistants$65K
- Massage Therapists$44K
- Dental Assistants$40K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$38K
- Medical Assistants$38K
- Phlebotomists$36K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$33K
- Nursing Assistants$32K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$28K
Personal Care and Service10 jobs
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$43K
- Residential Advisors$41K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$40K
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$38K
- Skincare Specialists$38K
- Animal Caretakers$34K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$32K
- Recreation Workers$29K
- Childcare Workers$28K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$27K
Food Preparation and Serving Related12 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35K
- Bartenders$34K
- Cooks, Restaurant$31K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$30K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$30K
- Food Preparation Workers$28K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$28K
- Waiters and Waitresses$27K
- Dishwashers$27K
- Cooks, Fast Food$27K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$26K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$26K
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Salary in Fort Smith: questions
What is a good salary in Fort Smith?
Half of all workers in the Fort Smith metro earn less than $39,560 and the average is $50,300. Earning more than $58,080 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Fort Smith to match a $70,751 salary elsewhere?
About $60,767, because prices here are 14% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 85.9).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Fort Smith?
Physicians, All Other ($239,000), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($165,710), Dentists, General ($154,550).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Fort Smith, AR-OK (22900), all occupations and 302 individual jobs.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Arkansas tax is estimated with the Department of Finance and Administration's 2026 withholding formula.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.