Engineering Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Civil Engineer Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median civil engineer salary in Fort Smith, AR is $71,952 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$71,952
vs State Avg
$-3,598
vs National
$-17,988
Cost of Living
80%

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

Fort Smith offers a median civil engineer salary of $71,952, which is $3,598 below the Arkansas state average of $75,550. Compared to the national median of $89,940, 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 $71,952 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $89,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for civil engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for civil engineers in Fort Smith spans from $48,320 at the 10th percentile to $110,880 at the 90th percentile — a $62,560 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $49,600, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $104,000. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Civil Engineer Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $49,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $104,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$49,600
$-12,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$72,000
$-18,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$104,000
$-26,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $48,320
25th Percentile $58,560
Median (50th) $71,952
75th Percentile $91,200
90th Percentile $110,880

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$79,147
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$78,248
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$75,550
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$73,751
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementGISConstruction ManagementPE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, civil engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open civil engineer positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $71,952 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $48,320 (10th percentile) to $110,880 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $71,952, a civil engineer in Fort Smith earns approximately $35 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median civil engineer salary of $71,952 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $75,550. 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 civil engineer salary of $71,952 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Fort Smith? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.