Engineering Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Industrial Engineer Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median industrial engineer salary in Fort Smith, AR is $76,240 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$76,240
vs State Avg
$-3,812
vs National
$-19,060
Cost of Living
80%

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

Fort Smith offers a median industrial engineer salary of $76,240, which is $3,812 below the Arkansas state average of $80,052. Compared to the national median of $95,300, 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 $76,240 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $95,300 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for industrial engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for industrial engineers in Fort Smith spans from $48,800 at the 10th percentile to $118,400 at the 90th percentile — a $69,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $51,200, while senior industrial engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $113,600. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Industrial Engineer Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level industrial engineer earns around $51,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $113,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$51,200
$-12,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$76,800
$-19,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$113,600
$-28,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $48,800
25th Percentile $60,800
Median (50th) $76,240
75th Percentile $96,000
90th Percentile $118,400

Industrial Engineer Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$83,864
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$82,911
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$80,052
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$78,146
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Industrial Engineer in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

Lean ManufacturingSix SigmaProcess OptimizationAutoCADStatistical AnalysisOperations Research

Job Outlook

Nationally, industrial engineer employment is projected to grow 12% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Industrial Engineer Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open industrial engineer positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Industrial Engineer Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Industrial Engineer make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median industrial engineer salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $76,240 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $95,300. Salaries range from $48,800 (10th percentile) to $118,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Industrial Engineer make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $76,240, a industrial engineer in Fort Smith earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for industrial engineer pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median industrial engineer salary of $76,240 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $80,052. 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 industrial engineer salary of $76,240 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a industrial engineer in Fort Smith? ▼
Most industrial engineer positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Process Optimization, AutoCAD. The job market is projected to grow 12% nationally over the next decade.