Engineering Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median aerospace engineer salary in Fort Smith, AR is $101,504 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$101,504
vs State Avg
$-5,075
vs National
$-25,376
Cost of Living
80%

Aerospace Engineer Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median aerospace engineer salary of $101,504, which is $5,075 below the Arkansas state average of $106,579. Compared to the national median of $126,880, Fort Smith pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Fort Smith's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 80% of the national average. This means the $101,504 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $126,880 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for aerospace engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for aerospace engineers in Fort Smith spans from $62,400 at the 10th percentile to $153,600 at the 90th percentile — a $91,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $64,000, while senior aerospace engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $148,000. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level aerospace engineer earns around $64,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $148,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$64,000
$-16,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$102,400
$-25,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$148,000
$-37,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $62,400
25th Percentile $80,000
Median (50th) $101,504
75th Percentile $128,000
90th Percentile $153,600

Aerospace Engineer Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$111,654
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$110,386
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$106,579
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$104,042
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Aerospace Engineer in Fort Smith

Education

Most aerospace engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Fort Smith and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AerodynamicsCATIA/CADStructural AnalysisMATLABPropulsion SystemsFEA

Job Outlook

Nationally, aerospace engineer employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Aerospace Engineer Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open aerospace engineer positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Aerospace Engineer Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Aerospace Engineer make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median aerospace engineer salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $101,504 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $126,880. Salaries range from $62,400 (10th percentile) to $153,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Aerospace Engineer make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $101,504, a aerospace engineer in Fort Smith earns approximately $49 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for aerospace engineer pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median aerospace engineer salary of $101,504 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $106,579. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
Fort Smith has a cost of living index of 80% compared to the national average. This means a aerospace engineer salary of $101,504 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a aerospace engineer in Fort Smith? ▼
Most aerospace engineer positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Aerodynamics, CATIA/CAD, Structural Analysis, MATLAB. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.