Construction & Real Estate Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Architect Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median architect salary in Fort Smith, AR is $66,272 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$66,272
vs State Avg
$-3,314
vs National
$-16,568
Cost of Living
80%

Architect Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median architect salary of $66,272, which is $3,314 below the Arkansas state average of $69,586. Compared to the national median of $82,840, 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 $66,272 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $82,840 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for architects seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for architects in Fort Smith spans from $40,000 at the 10th percentile to $118,400 at the 90th percentile — a $78,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $41,600, while senior architects with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $112,000. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Architect Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level architect earns around $41,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $112,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$41,600
$-10,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$68,000
$-17,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$112,000
$-28,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $40,000
25th Percentile $51,200
Median (50th) $66,272
75th Percentile $89,600
90th Percentile $118,400

Architect Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$72,899
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$72,071
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$69,586
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$67,929
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Architect in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

AutoCAD/RevitBuilding DesignBuilding Codes3D ModelingProject ManagementSustainability

Job Outlook

Nationally, architect employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Architect Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open architect positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Architect Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Architect make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median architect salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $66,272 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $82,840. Salaries range from $40,000 (10th percentile) to $118,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Architect make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $66,272, a architect in Fort Smith earns approximately $32 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for architect pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median architect salary of $66,272 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $69,586. 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 architect salary of $66,272 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a architect in Fort Smith? ▼
Most architect positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD/Revit, Building Design, Building Codes, 3D Modeling. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.