Hospitality & Tourism Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Hotel Manager Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median hotel manager salary in Fort Smith, AR is $48,800 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$48,800
vs State Avg
$-2,440
vs National
$-12,200
Cost of Living
80%

Hotel Manager Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median hotel manager salary of $48,800, which is $2,440 below the Arkansas state average of $51,240. Compared to the national median of $61,000, 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 $48,800 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $61,000 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for hotel managers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for hotel managers in Fort Smith spans from $28,000 at the 10th percentile to $89,600 at the 90th percentile — a $61,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,400, while senior hotel managers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $84,000. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Hotel Manager Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level hotel manager earns around $30,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $84,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,400
$-7,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$50,400
$-12,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$84,000
$-21,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $28,000
25th Percentile $36,000
Median (50th) $48,800
75th Percentile $68,000
90th Percentile $89,600

Hotel Manager Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$53,680
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$53,070
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$51,240
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$50,020
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Hotel Manager in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

Hospitality ManagementCustomer ServiceBudgetingStaff ManagementOperationsRevenue Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, hotel manager employment is projected to grow 10% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Hotel Manager Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open hotel manager positions in Fort Smith, AR:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Hotel Manager Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Hotel Manager make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median hotel manager salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $48,800 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $61,000. Salaries range from $28,000 (10th percentile) to $89,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Hotel Manager make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $48,800, a hotel manager in Fort Smith earns approximately $23 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for hotel manager pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median hotel manager salary of $48,800 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $51,240. 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 hotel manager salary of $48,800 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a hotel manager in Fort Smith? ▼
Most hotel manager positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Hospitality Management, Customer Service, Budgeting, Staff Management. The job market is projected to grow 10% nationally over the next decade.