Trades & Labor Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Machinist Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median machinist salary in Fort Smith, AR is $39,096 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$39,096
vs State Avg
$-1,955
vs National
$-9,774
Cost of Living
80%

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

Fort Smith offers a median machinist salary of $39,096, which is $1,955 below the Arkansas state average of $41,051. Compared to the national median of $48,870, 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 $39,096 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $48,870 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for machinists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machinists in Fort Smith spans from $25,600 at the 10th percentile to $59,200 at the 90th percentile — a $33,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $27,200, while senior machinists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $57,600. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Machinist Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level machinist earns around $27,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $57,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$27,200
$-6,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$40,000
$-10,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$57,600
$-14,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $25,600
25th Percentile $31,200
Median (50th) $39,096
75th Percentile $48,800
90th Percentile $59,200

Machinist Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$43,006
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$42,517
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$41,051
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$40,073
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Machinist in Fort Smith

Education

Most machinist positions require a high school diploma. Fort Smith and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

CNC ProgrammingBlueprint ReadingPrecision MeasurementMetalworkingCAD/CAMQuality Control

Job Outlook

Nationally, machinist employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Machinist Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open machinist positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Machinist Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Machinist make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median machinist salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $39,096 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $48,870. Salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $59,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Machinist make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $39,096, a machinist in Fort Smith earns approximately $19 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for machinist pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median machinist salary of $39,096 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $41,051. 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 machinist salary of $39,096 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a machinist in Fort Smith? ▼
Most machinist positions in Fort Smith require a high school diploma. Key skills include CNC Programming, Blueprint Reading, Precision Measurement, Metalworking. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.