Agriculture & Environment Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Park Ranger Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median park ranger salary in Fort Smith, AR is $34,000 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$34,000
vs State Avg
$-1,700
vs National
$-8,500
Cost of Living
80%

Park Ranger Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median park ranger salary of $34,000, which is $1,700 below the Arkansas state average of $35,700. Compared to the national median of $42,500, 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 $34,000 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $42,500 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for park rangers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for park rangers in Fort Smith spans from $22,400 at the 10th percentile to $57,600 at the 90th percentile — a $35,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $24,000, while senior park rangers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $54,400. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Park Ranger Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level park ranger earns around $24,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $54,400 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)
$35,200
$-8,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$54,400
$-13,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $22,400
25th Percentile $27,200
Median (50th) $34,000
75th Percentile $46,400
90th Percentile $57,600

Park Ranger Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$37,400
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$36,975
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$35,700
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$34,850
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Park Ranger in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

ConservationLaw EnforcementPublic EducationWildlife ManagementEmergency ResponseOutdoor Skills

Job Outlook

Nationally, park ranger 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 Park Ranger Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open park ranger positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Park Ranger Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Park Ranger make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median park ranger salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $34,000 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $42,500. Salaries range from $22,400 (10th percentile) to $57,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Park Ranger make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $34,000, a park ranger in Fort Smith earns approximately $16 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for park ranger pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median park ranger salary of $34,000 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $35,700. 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 park ranger salary of $34,000 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a park ranger in Fort Smith? ▼
Most park ranger positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Conservation, Law Enforcement, Public Education, Wildlife Management. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.