Creative & Education Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Librarian Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median librarian salary in Fort Smith, AR is $48,952 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$48,952
vs State Avg
$-2,448
vs National
$-12,238
Cost of Living
80%

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

Fort Smith offers a median librarian salary of $48,952, which is $2,448 below the Arkansas state average of $51,400. Compared to the national median of $61,190, 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 $48,952 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $61,190 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for librarians seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for librarians in Fort Smith spans from $31,360 at the 10th percentile to $77,280 at the 90th percentile — a $45,920 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $33,600, while senior librarians with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $70,400. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Librarian Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level librarian earns around $33,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $70,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$33,600
$-8,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$49,600
$-12,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$70,400
$-17,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $31,360
25th Percentile $39,200
Median (50th) $48,952
75th Percentile $61,760
90th Percentile $77,280

Librarian Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$53,847
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$53,235
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$51,400
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$50,176
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Librarian in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

Information ScienceResearchCatalogingCommunity ProgrammingDigital LiteracyDatabase Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, librarian 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 Librarian Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open librarian positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Librarian Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Librarian make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median librarian salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $48,952 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $61,190. Salaries range from $31,360 (10th percentile) to $77,280 (90th percentile).
How much does a Librarian make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $48,952, a librarian in Fort Smith earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for librarian pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median librarian salary of $48,952 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $51,400. 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 librarian salary of $48,952 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a librarian in Fort Smith? ▼
Most librarian positions in Fort Smith require a master's degree. Key skills include Information Science, Research, Cataloging, Community Programming. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.