Engineering Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median petroleum engineer salary in Fort Smith, AR is $105,440 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$105,440
vs State Avg
$-5,272
vs National
$-26,360
Cost of Living
80%

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

Fort Smith offers a median petroleum engineer salary of $105,440, which is $5,272 below the Arkansas state average of $110,712. Compared to the national median of $131,800, 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 $105,440 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $131,800 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for petroleum engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for petroleum engineers in Fort Smith spans from $64,000 at the 10th percentile to $161,600 at the 90th percentile — a $97,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $67,200, while senior petroleum engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $156,000. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level petroleum engineer earns around $67,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $156,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$67,200
$-16,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$107,200
$-26,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$156,000
$-39,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $64,000
25th Percentile $81,600
Median (50th) $105,440
75th Percentile $134,400
90th Percentile $161,600

Petroleum Engineer Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$115,984
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$114,666
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$110,712
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$108,076
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Petroleum Engineer in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

Reservoir EngineeringDrillingGeologySimulation SoftwareProject ManagementData Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, petroleum engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Petroleum Engineer Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open petroleum engineer positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Petroleum Engineer Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Petroleum Engineer make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median petroleum engineer salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $105,440 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $131,800. Salaries range from $64,000 (10th percentile) to $161,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Petroleum Engineer make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $105,440, a petroleum engineer in Fort Smith earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for petroleum engineer pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median petroleum engineer salary of $105,440 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $110,712. 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 petroleum engineer salary of $105,440 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a petroleum engineer in Fort Smith? ▼
Most petroleum engineer positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Reservoir Engineering, Drilling, Geology, Simulation Software. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.