Personal Care & Fitness Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Esthetician Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median esthetician salary in Fort Smith, AR is $30,560 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$30,560
vs State Avg
$-1,528
vs National
$-7,640
Cost of Living
80%

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

Fort Smith offers a median esthetician salary of $30,560, which is $1,528 below the Arkansas state average of $32,088. Compared to the national median of $38,200, 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 $30,560 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $38,200 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for estheticians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for estheticians in Fort Smith spans from $19,200 at the 10th percentile to $52,000 at the 90th percentile — a $32,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $20,800, while senior estheticians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $49,600. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Esthetician Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level esthetician earns around $20,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $49,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$20,800
$-5,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$31,200
$-7,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$49,600
$-12,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $19,200
25th Percentile $24,000
Median (50th) $30,560
75th Percentile $41,600
90th Percentile $52,000

Esthetician Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$33,616
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$33,234
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$32,088
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$31,324
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Esthetician in Fort Smith

Education

Most esthetician positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Fort Smith and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

SkincareFacial TreatmentsProduct KnowledgeClient ConsultationSanitationAnatomy

Job Outlook

Nationally, esthetician employment is projected to grow 17% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Esthetician Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open esthetician positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Esthetician Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Esthetician make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median esthetician salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $30,560 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $38,200. Salaries range from $19,200 (10th percentile) to $52,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Esthetician make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $30,560, a esthetician in Fort Smith earns approximately $15 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for esthetician pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median esthetician salary of $30,560 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $32,088. 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 esthetician salary of $30,560 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a esthetician in Fort Smith? ▼
Most esthetician positions in Fort Smith require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Skincare, Facial Treatments, Product Knowledge, Client Consultation. The job market is projected to grow 17% nationally over the next decade.