Personal Care & Fitness Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Massage Therapist Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median massage therapist salary in Fort Smith, AR is $39,888 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$39,888
vs State Avg
$-1,994
vs National
$-9,972
Cost of Living
80%

Massage Therapist Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median massage therapist salary of $39,888, which is $1,994 below the Arkansas state average of $41,882. Compared to the national median of $49,860, 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 $39,888 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $49,860 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for massage therapists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for massage therapists in Fort Smith spans from $22,400 at the 10th percentile to $70,400 at the 90th percentile — a $48,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $24,000, while senior massage therapists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $65,600. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Massage Therapist Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level massage therapist earns around $24,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $65,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$24,000
$-6,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$40,800
$-10,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$65,600
$-16,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $22,400
25th Percentile $28,800
Median (50th) $39,888
75th Percentile $54,400
90th Percentile $70,400

Massage Therapist Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$43,877
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$43,378
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$41,882
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$40,885
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Massage Therapist in Fort Smith

Education

Most massage therapist positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Fort Smith and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Massage TechniquesAnatomyClient AssessmentCommunicationPhysical StaminaHygiene

Job Outlook

Nationally, massage therapist employment is projected to grow 18% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Massage Therapist Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open massage therapist positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Massage Therapist Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Massage Therapist make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median massage therapist salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $39,888 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $49,860. Salaries range from $22,400 (10th percentile) to $70,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Massage Therapist make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $39,888, a massage therapist 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 massage therapist pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median massage therapist salary of $39,888 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $41,882. 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 massage therapist salary of $39,888 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a massage therapist in Fort Smith? ▼
Most massage therapist positions in Fort Smith require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Massage Techniques, Anatomy, Client Assessment, Communication. The job market is projected to grow 18% nationally over the next decade.