Science & Research Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Physicist Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median physicist salary in Fort Smith, AR is $121,944 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$121,944
vs State Avg
$-6,097
vs National
$-30,486
Cost of Living
80%

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

Fort Smith offers a median physicist salary of $121,944, which is $6,097 below the Arkansas state average of $128,041. Compared to the national median of $152,430, 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 $121,944 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $152,430 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for physicists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physicists in Fort Smith spans from $62,400 at the 10th percentile to $190,400 at the 90th percentile — a $128,000 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $65,600, while senior physicists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $176,000. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physicist Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level physicist earns around $65,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $176,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$65,600
$-16,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$124,000
$-31,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$176,000
$-44,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $62,400
25th Percentile $86,400
Median (50th) $121,944
75th Percentile $156,000
90th Percentile $190,400

Physicist Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$134,138
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$132,614
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$128,041
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$124,993
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Physicist in Fort Smith

Education

Most physicist positions require a doctoral degree. Fort Smith and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Mathematical ModelingExperimental PhysicsPython/MATLABData AnalysisScientific WritingLaboratory Equipment

Job Outlook

Nationally, physicist 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 Physicist Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open physicist positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Physicist Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Physicist make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median physicist salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $121,944 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $152,430. Salaries range from $62,400 (10th percentile) to $190,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physicist make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $121,944, a physicist in Fort Smith earns approximately $59 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for physicist pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median physicist salary of $121,944 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $128,041. 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 physicist salary of $121,944 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physicist in Fort Smith? ▼
Most physicist positions in Fort Smith require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Mathematical Modeling, Experimental Physics, Python/MATLAB, Data Analysis. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.