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

Editor Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median editor salary in Fort Smith, AR is $58,464 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$58,464
vs State Avg
$-2,923
vs National
$-14,616
Cost of Living
80%

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

Fort Smith offers a median editor salary of $58,464, which is $2,923 below the Arkansas state average of $61,387. Compared to the national median of $73,080, 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 $58,464 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $73,080 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for editors seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for editors in Fort Smith spans from $32,000 at the 10th percentile to $105,600 at the 90th percentile — a $73,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $33,600, while senior editors with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $100,000. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Editor Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level editor earns around $33,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $100,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$33,600
$-8,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$60,000
$-15,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$100,000
$-25,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $32,000
25th Percentile $42,400
Median (50th) $58,464
75th Percentile $78,400
90th Percentile $105,600

Editor Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$64,310
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$63,580
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$61,387
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$59,926
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Editor in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

EditingAP/Chicago StyleCMS PlatformsContent StrategyFact-CheckingCommunication

Job Outlook

Nationally, editor employment is projected to grow -5% over the next decade (decline). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Editor Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open editor positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Editor Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Editor make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median editor salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $58,464 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $73,080. Salaries range from $32,000 (10th percentile) to $105,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Editor make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $58,464, a editor in Fort Smith earns approximately $28 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for editor pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median editor salary of $58,464 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $61,387. 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 editor salary of $58,464 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a editor in Fort Smith? ▼
Most editor positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Editing, AP/Chicago Style, CMS Platforms, Content Strategy. The job market is projected to grow -5% nationally over the next decade.