Media & Communications Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Photographer Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median photographer salary in Fort Smith, AR is $32,160 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$32,160
vs State Avg
$-1,608
vs National
$-8,040
Cost of Living
80%

Photographer Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median photographer salary of $32,160, which is $1,608 below the Arkansas state average of $33,768. Compared to the national median of $40,200, 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 $32,160 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $40,200 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for photographers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for photographers in Fort Smith spans from $19,200 at the 10th percentile to $65,600 at the 90th percentile — a $46,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $20,800, while senior photographers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $60,000. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Photographer Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level photographer earns around $20,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $60,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$20,800
$-5,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$33,600
$-8,400 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$60,000
$-15,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $19,200
25th Percentile $24,000
Median (50th) $32,160
75th Percentile $46,400
90th Percentile $65,600

Photographer Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$35,376
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$34,974
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$33,768
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$32,964
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Photographer in Fort Smith

Education

Most photographer positions require a high school diploma. Fort Smith and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PhotographyLightroom/PhotoshopLightingCompositionPhoto EditingClient Management

Job Outlook

Nationally, photographer employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Photographer Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open photographer positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Photographer Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Photographer make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median photographer salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $32,160 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $40,200. Salaries range from $19,200 (10th percentile) to $65,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Photographer make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $32,160, a photographer in Fort Smith earns approximately $15 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for photographer pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median photographer salary of $32,160 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $33,768. 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 photographer salary of $32,160 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a photographer in Fort Smith? ▼
Most photographer positions in Fort Smith require a high school diploma. Key skills include Photography, Lightroom/Photoshop, Lighting, Composition. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.