Technology Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Data Scientist Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median data scientist salary in Fort Smith, AR is $79,935 per year, which is 26% below the national median and 5.1% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$79,935
vs State Avg
$-4,321
vs National
$-28,085
Cost of Living
80%

Data Scientist Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median data scientist salary of $79,935, which is $4,321 below the Arkansas state average of $84,256. Compared to the national median of $108,020, 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 $79,935 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $99,919 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for data scientists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for data scientists in Fort Smith spans from $45,436 at the 10th percentile to $131,868 at the 90th percentile — a $86,432 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $53,280, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $122,100. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Data Scientist Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level data scientist earns around $53,280, while experienced professionals earn up to $122,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$53,280
$-18,720 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$82,880
$-29,120 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$122,100
$-42,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $45,436
25th Percentile $62,308
Median (50th) $79,935
75th Percentile $104,340
90th Percentile $131,868

Data Scientist Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$88,576
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$87,496
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$84,256
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$82,095
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Data Scientist in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

PythonRSQLMachine LearningStatisticsData Visualization

Job Outlook

Nationally, data scientist employment is projected to grow 35% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open data scientist positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Data Scientist make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $79,935 per year, which is 26% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $45,436 (10th percentile) to $131,868 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $79,935, a data scientist in Fort Smith earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median data scientist salary of $79,935 is 5.1% below the Arkansas state average of $84,256. 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 data scientist salary of $79,935 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Fort Smith? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, R, SQL, Machine Learning. The job market is projected to grow 35% nationally over the next decade.