Software Engineer Salary in Fort Smith, AR: $91,908 (2026)

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

Fort Smith offers a median software engineer salary of $91,908, which is $4,968 below the Arkansas state average of $96,876. Compared to the national median of $124,200, 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 $91,908 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $114,885 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for software engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for software engineers in Fort Smith spans from $55,204 at the 10th percentile to $146,949 at the 90th percentile — a $91,745 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,720, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $136,900. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Software Engineer Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level software engineer earns around $57,720, while experienced professionals earn up to $136,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$57,720

$-20,280 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$92,500

$-32,500 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$136,900

$-48,100 vs national

Percentile	Fort Smith	AR State	National
10th Percentile	$55,204	$58,188	$74,600
25th Percentile	$72,668	$76,596	$98,200
Median (50th)	$91,908	$96,876	$124,200
75th Percentile	$117,068	$123,396	$158,200
90th Percentile	$146,949	$154,892	$198,580

Percentile

Fort Smith

10th Percentile

$55,204

25th Percentile

$72,668

Median (50th)

$91,908

75th Percentile

$117,068

90th Percentile

$146,949

How to Become a Software Engineer in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Software Engineer make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼

The median software engineer salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $91,908 per year, which is 26% below the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $55,204 (10th percentile) to $146,949 (90th percentile).

How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $91,908, a software engineer in Fort Smith earns approximately $44 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for software engineer pay? ▼

Fort Smith's median software engineer salary of $91,908 is 5.1% below the Arkansas state average of $96,876. 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 software engineer salary of $91,908 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Fort Smith? ▼

Most software engineer positions in Fort Smith require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.

Software Engineer Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas