Technology Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Network Engineer Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median network engineer salary in Fort Smith, AR is $68,080 per year, which is 26% below the national median and 5.1% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$68,080
vs State Avg
$-3,680
vs National
$-23,920
Cost of Living
80%

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

Fort Smith offers a median network engineer salary of $68,080, which is $3,680 below the Arkansas state average of $71,760. Compared to the national median of $92,000, 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 $68,080 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $85,100 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for network engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for network engineers in Fort Smith spans from $41,440 at the 10th percentile to $107,300 at the 90th percentile — a $65,860 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $44,400, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $102,120. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Network Engineer Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level network engineer earns around $44,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $102,120 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$44,400
$-15,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$69,560
$-24,440 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$102,120
$-35,880 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $41,440
25th Percentile $54,760
Median (50th) $68,080
75th Percentile $87,320
90th Percentile $107,300

Network Engineer Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$75,440
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$74,520
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$71,760
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$69,920
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Network Engineer in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

CiscoTCP/IPFirewallsVPNNetwork MonitoringCCNA/CCNP

Job Outlook

Nationally, network engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Network Engineer Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open network engineer positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Network Engineer make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median network engineer salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $68,080 per year, which is 26% below the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $41,440 (10th percentile) to $107,300 (90th percentile).
How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $68,080, a network engineer in Fort Smith earns approximately $33 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for network engineer pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median network engineer salary of $68,080 is 5.1% below the Arkansas state average of $71,760. 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 network engineer salary of $68,080 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a network engineer in Fort Smith? ▼
Most network engineer positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Cisco, TCP/IP, Firewalls, VPN. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.