Business & Finance Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median insurance underwriter salary in Fort Smith, AR is $62,288 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$62,288
vs State Avg
$-3,114
vs National
$-15,572
Cost of Living
80%

Insurance Underwriter Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median insurance underwriter salary of $62,288, which is $3,114 below the Arkansas state average of $65,402. Compared to the national median of $77,860, 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 $62,288 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $77,860 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for insurance underwriters seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for insurance underwriters in Fort Smith spans from $38,880 at the 10th percentile to $101,120 at the 90th percentile — a $62,240 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $40,000, while senior insurance underwriters with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $92,000. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level insurance underwriter earns around $40,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $92,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$40,000
$-10,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$62,400
$-15,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$92,000
$-23,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $38,880
25th Percentile $48,960
Median (50th) $62,288
75th Percentile $80,000
90th Percentile $101,120

Insurance Underwriter Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$68,517
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$67,738
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$65,402
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$63,845
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Insurance Underwriter in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

Risk AssessmentAnalytical SkillsInsurance RegulationsUnderwriting SoftwareDecision-MakingAttention to Detail

Job Outlook

Nationally, insurance underwriter employment is projected to grow -2% over the next decade (decline). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Insurance Underwriter Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open insurance underwriter positions in Fort Smith, AR:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Insurance Underwriter Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Insurance Underwriter make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median insurance underwriter salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $62,288 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $77,860. Salaries range from $38,880 (10th percentile) to $101,120 (90th percentile).
How much does a Insurance Underwriter make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $62,288, a insurance underwriter 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 insurance underwriter pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median insurance underwriter salary of $62,288 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $65,402. 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 insurance underwriter salary of $62,288 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a insurance underwriter in Fort Smith? ▼
Most insurance underwriter positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Risk Assessment, Analytical Skills, Insurance Regulations, Underwriting Software. The job market is projected to grow -2% nationally over the next decade.