Media & Communications Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Broadcast Journalist Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median broadcast journalist salary in Fort Smith, AR is $41,600 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$41,600
vs State Avg
$-2,080
vs National
$-10,400
Cost of Living
80%

Broadcast Journalist Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median broadcast journalist salary of $41,600, which is $2,080 below the Arkansas state average of $43,680. Compared to the national median of $52,000, 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 $41,600 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $52,000 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for broadcast journalists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for broadcast journalists in Fort Smith spans from $24,000 at the 10th percentile to $80,000 at the 90th percentile — a $56,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $26,400, while senior broadcast journalists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $76,000. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Broadcast Journalist Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level broadcast journalist earns around $26,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $76,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$26,400
$-6,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$43,200
$-10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$76,000
$-19,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $24,000
25th Percentile $30,400
Median (50th) $41,600
75th Percentile $59,200
90th Percentile $80,000

Broadcast Journalist Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$45,760
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$45,240
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$43,680
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$42,640
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Broadcast Journalist in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

On-Air PresentationInterviewingScript WritingVideo EditingResearchTeleprompter

Job Outlook

Nationally, broadcast journalist employment is projected to grow -4% over the next decade (decline). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Broadcast Journalist Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open broadcast journalist positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Broadcast Journalist Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Broadcast Journalist make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median broadcast journalist salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $41,600 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $52,000. Salaries range from $24,000 (10th percentile) to $80,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Broadcast Journalist make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $41,600, a broadcast journalist in Fort Smith earns approximately $20 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for broadcast journalist pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median broadcast journalist salary of $41,600 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $43,680. 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 broadcast journalist salary of $41,600 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a broadcast journalist in Fort Smith? ▼
Most broadcast journalist positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include On-Air Presentation, Interviewing, Script Writing, Video Editing. The job market is projected to grow -4% nationally over the next decade.