Public Service Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Police Officer Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median police officer salary in Fort Smith, AR is $52,632 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$52,632
vs State Avg
$-2,632
vs National
$-13,158
Cost of Living
80%

Police Officer Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median police officer salary of $52,632, which is $2,632 below the Arkansas state average of $55,264. Compared to the national median of $65,790, 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 $52,632 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $65,790 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for police officers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for police officers in Fort Smith spans from $32,320 at the 10th percentile to $84,800 at the 90th percentile — a $52,480 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $33,600, while senior police officers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $78,400. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Police Officer Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level police officer earns around $33,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $78,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$33,600
$-8,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$52,800
$-13,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$78,400
$-19,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $32,320
25th Percentile $40,960
Median (50th) $52,632
75th Percentile $69,760
90th Percentile $84,800

Police Officer Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$57,895
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$57,237
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$55,264
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$53,948
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Police Officer in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

Law EnforcementEmergency ResponseReport WritingDe-escalationPhysical FitnessCommunity Policing

Job Outlook

Nationally, police officer employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Police Officer Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open police officer positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Police Officer Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Police Officer make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median police officer salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $52,632 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $65,790. Salaries range from $32,320 (10th percentile) to $84,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Police Officer make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $52,632, a police officer in Fort Smith earns approximately $25 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for police officer pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median police officer salary of $52,632 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $55,264. 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 police officer salary of $52,632 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a police officer in Fort Smith? ▼
Most police officer positions in Fort Smith require a high school diploma. Key skills include Law Enforcement, Emergency Response, Report Writing, De-escalation. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.