Public Service Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Security Guard Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median security guard salary in Fort Smith, AR is $27,800 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$27,800
vs State Avg
$-1,390
vs National
$-6,950
Cost of Living
80%

Security Guard Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median security guard salary of $27,800, which is $1,390 below the Arkansas state average of $29,190. Compared to the national median of $34,750, 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 $27,800 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $34,750 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for security guards seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for security guards in Fort Smith spans from $20,000 at the 10th percentile to $41,600 at the 90th percentile — a $21,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $20,800, while senior security guards with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $40,000. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Security Guard Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level security guard earns around $20,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $40,000 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)
$28,800
$-7,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$40,000
$-10,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $20,000
25th Percentile $23,200
Median (50th) $27,800
75th Percentile $33,600
90th Percentile $41,600

Security Guard Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$30,580
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$30,233
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$29,190
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$28,495
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Security Guard in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

SurveillanceAccess ControlReport WritingCommunicationObservationCPR/First Aid

Job Outlook

Nationally, security guard 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 Security Guard Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open security guard positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Security Guard Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Security Guard make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median security guard salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $27,800 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $34,750. Salaries range from $20,000 (10th percentile) to $41,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Security Guard make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $27,800, a security guard in Fort Smith earns approximately $13 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for security guard pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median security guard salary of $27,800 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $29,190. 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 security guard salary of $27,800 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a security guard in Fort Smith? ▼
Most security guard positions in Fort Smith require a high school diploma. Key skills include Surveillance, Access Control, Report Writing, Communication. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.