Science & Research Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Epidemiologist Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median epidemiologist salary in Fort Smith, AR is $62,816 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$62,816
vs State Avg
$-3,141
vs National
$-15,704
Cost of Living
80%

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

Fort Smith offers a median epidemiologist salary of $62,816, which is $3,141 below the Arkansas state average of $65,957. Compared to the national median of $78,520, 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 $62,816 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $78,520 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for epidemiologists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for epidemiologists in Fort Smith spans from $40,000 at the 10th percentile to $100,800 at the 90th percentile — a $60,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $41,600, while senior epidemiologists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $96,000. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Epidemiologist Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level epidemiologist earns around $41,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $96,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$41,600
$-10,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$64,000
$-16,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$96,000
$-24,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $40,000
25th Percentile $49,600
Median (50th) $62,816
75th Percentile $80,800
90th Percentile $100,800

Epidemiologist Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$69,098
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$68,312
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$65,957
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$64,386
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Epidemiologist in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

EpidemiologyBiostatisticsSAS/RDisease SurveillanceResearch MethodsPublic Health

Job Outlook

Nationally, epidemiologist employment is projected to grow 27% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Epidemiologist Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open epidemiologist positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Epidemiologist Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Epidemiologist make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median epidemiologist salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $62,816 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $78,520. Salaries range from $40,000 (10th percentile) to $100,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Epidemiologist make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $62,816, a epidemiologist in Fort Smith earns approximately $30 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for epidemiologist pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median epidemiologist salary of $62,816 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $65,957. 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 epidemiologist salary of $62,816 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a epidemiologist in Fort Smith? ▼
Most epidemiologist positions in Fort Smith require a master's degree. Key skills include Epidemiology, Biostatistics, SAS/R, Disease Surveillance. The job market is projected to grow 27% nationally over the next decade.