Engineering Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Electrical Engineer Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median electrical engineer salary in Fort Smith, AR is $83,688 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$83,688
vs State Avg
$-4,184
vs National
$-20,922
Cost of Living
80%

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

Fort Smith offers a median electrical engineer salary of $83,688, which is $4,184 below the Arkansas state average of $87,872. Compared to the national median of $104,610, 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 $83,688 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $104,610 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for electrical engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for electrical engineers in Fort Smith spans from $52,800 at the 10th percentile to $129,600 at the 90th percentile — a $76,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $54,400, while senior electrical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $124,000. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Electrical Engineer Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level electrical engineer earns around $54,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $124,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$54,400
$-13,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$84,800
$-21,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$124,000
$-31,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $52,800
25th Percentile $66,400
Median (50th) $83,688
75th Percentile $105,600
90th Percentile $129,600

Electrical Engineer Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$92,057
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$91,011
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$87,872
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$85,780
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Electrical Engineer in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

Circuit DesignMATLABPCB DesignPower SystemsControl SystemsEmbedded Systems

Job Outlook

Nationally, electrical 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 Electrical Engineer Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open electrical engineer positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Electrical Engineer Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Electrical Engineer make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median electrical engineer salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $83,688 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $104,610. Salaries range from $52,800 (10th percentile) to $129,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Electrical Engineer make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $83,688, a electrical engineer in Fort Smith earns approximately $40 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for electrical engineer pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median electrical engineer salary of $83,688 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $87,872. 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 electrical engineer salary of $83,688 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a electrical engineer in Fort Smith? ▼
Most electrical engineer positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Circuit Design, MATLAB, PCB Design, Power Systems. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.