Business & Finance Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Economist Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median economist salary in Fort Smith, AR is $91,152 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$91,152
vs State Avg
$-4,558
vs National
$-22,788
Cost of Living
80%

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

Fort Smith offers a median economist salary of $91,152, which is $4,558 below the Arkansas state average of $95,710. Compared to the national median of $113,940, 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 $91,152 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $113,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for economists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for economists in Fort Smith spans from $49,600 at the 10th percentile to $158,400 at the 90th percentile — a $108,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $52,000, while senior economists 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.

Economist Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level economist earns around $52,000, 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)
$52,000
$-13,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$92,000
$-23,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$148,000
$-37,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $49,600
25th Percentile $65,600
Median (50th) $91,152
75th Percentile $124,000
90th Percentile $158,400

Economist Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$100,267
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$99,128
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$95,710
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$93,431
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Economist in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

EconometricsStatistical AnalysisR/PythonEconomic ModelingResearch MethodsPolicy Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, economist 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 Economist Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open economist positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Economist make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median economist salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $91,152 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $113,940. Salaries range from $49,600 (10th percentile) to $158,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Economist make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $91,152, a economist in Fort Smith earns approximately $44 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for economist pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median economist salary of $91,152 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $95,710. 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 economist salary of $91,152 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Fort Smith? ▼
Most economist positions in Fort Smith require a master's degree. Key skills include Econometrics, Statistical Analysis, R/Python, Economic Modeling. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.