Technology Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

QA Engineer Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median qa engineer salary in Fort Smith, AR is $66,600 per year, which is 26% below the national median and 5.1% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$66,600
vs State Avg
$-3,600
vs National
$-23,400
Cost of Living
80%

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

Fort Smith offers a median qa engineer salary of $66,600, which is $3,600 below the Arkansas state average of $70,200. Compared to the national median of $90,000, 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 $66,600 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $83,250 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for qa engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for qa engineers in Fort Smith spans from $40,700 at the 10th percentile to $105,080 at the 90th percentile — a $64,380 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $42,920, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $99,900. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

QA Engineer Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $42,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $99,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$42,920
$-15,080 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$68,080
$-23,920 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$99,900
$-35,100 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $40,700
25th Percentile $53,280
Median (50th) $66,600
75th Percentile $87,320
90th Percentile $105,080

QA Engineer Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$73,800
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$72,900
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$70,200
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$68,400
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a QA Engineer in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

Test AutomationSeleniumJIRASQLAPI TestingAgile

Job Outlook

Nationally, qa engineer employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open qa engineer positions in Fort Smith, AR:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a QA Engineer make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $66,600 per year, which is 26% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $40,700 (10th percentile) to $105,080 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $66,600, a qa engineer in Fort Smith earns approximately $32 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median qa engineer salary of $66,600 is 5.1% below the Arkansas state average of $70,200. 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 qa engineer salary of $66,600 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Fort Smith? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Test Automation, Selenium, JIRA, SQL. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.