Engineering Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median mechanical engineer salary in Fort Smith, AR is $77,048 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$77,048
vs State Avg
$-3,852
vs National
$-19,262
Cost of Living
80%

Mechanical Engineer Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median mechanical engineer salary of $77,048, which is $3,852 below the Arkansas state average of $80,900. Compared to the national median of $96,310, 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 $77,048 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $96,310 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for mechanical engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for mechanical engineers in Fort Smith spans from $50,720 at the 10th percentile to $116,960 at the 90th percentile — a $66,240 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $52,000, while senior mechanical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $110,400. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level mechanical engineer earns around $52,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $110,400 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)
$76,800
$-19,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$110,400
$-27,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $50,720
25th Percentile $63,040
Median (50th) $77,048
75th Percentile $95,680
90th Percentile $116,960

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$84,753
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$83,790
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$80,900
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$78,974
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Mechanical Engineer in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

SolidWorks/CADThermodynamicsFEAManufacturingMaterials SciencePE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, mechanical engineer employment is projected to grow 2% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Mechanical Engineer Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open mechanical engineer positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Mechanical Engineer Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median mechanical engineer salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $77,048 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $96,310. Salaries range from $50,720 (10th percentile) to $116,960 (90th percentile).
How much does a Mechanical Engineer make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $77,048, a mechanical engineer in Fort Smith earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for mechanical engineer pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median mechanical engineer salary of $77,048 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $80,900. 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 mechanical engineer salary of $77,048 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a mechanical engineer in Fort Smith? ▼
Most mechanical engineer positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include SolidWorks/CAD, Thermodynamics, FEA, Manufacturing. The job market is projected to grow 2% nationally over the next decade.