Legal Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Judge Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median judge salary in Fort Smith, AR is $118,424 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$118,424
vs State Avg
$-5,921
vs National
$-29,606
Cost of Living
80%

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

Fort Smith offers a median judge salary of $118,424, which is $5,921 below the Arkansas state average of $124,345. Compared to the national median of $148,030, 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 $118,424 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $148,030 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for judges seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for judges in Fort Smith spans from $46,400 at the 10th percentile to $184,000 at the 90th percentile — a $137,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $52,000, while senior judges with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $172,000. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Judge Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level judge earns around $52,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $172,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$52,000
$-13,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$120,000
$-30,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$172,000
$-43,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $46,400
25th Percentile $72,000
Median (50th) $118,424
75th Percentile $156,000
90th Percentile $184,000

Judge Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$130,266
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$128,786
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$124,345
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$121,385
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Judge in Fort Smith

Education

Most judge positions require a doctoral degree. Fort Smith and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Legal InterpretationJudicial ReasoningCourt ProceduresImpartialityLegal WritingCase Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, judge employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Judge Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open judge positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Judge Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Judge make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median judge salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $118,424 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $148,030. Salaries range from $46,400 (10th percentile) to $184,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Judge make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $118,424, a judge in Fort Smith earns approximately $57 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for judge pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median judge salary of $118,424 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $124,345. 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 judge salary of $118,424 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a judge in Fort Smith? ▼
Most judge positions in Fort Smith require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Legal Interpretation, Judicial Reasoning, Court Procedures, Impartiality. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.