Hospitality & Tourism Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Sommelier Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median sommelier salary in Fort Smith, AR is $49,600 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$49,600
vs State Avg
$-2,480
vs National
$-12,400
Cost of Living
80%

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

Fort Smith offers a median sommelier salary of $49,600, which is $2,480 below the Arkansas state average of $52,080. Compared to the national median of $62,000, 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 $49,600 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $62,000 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for sommeliers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for sommeliers in Fort Smith spans from $25,600 at the 10th percentile to $100,000 at the 90th percentile — a $74,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $28,000, while senior sommeliers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $94,400. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Sommelier Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level sommelier earns around $28,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $94,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$28,000
$-7,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$52,000
$-13,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$94,400
$-23,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $25,600
25th Percentile $35,200
Median (50th) $49,600
75th Percentile $73,600
90th Percentile $100,000

Sommelier Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$54,560
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$53,940
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$52,080
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$50,840
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Sommelier in Fort Smith

Education

Most sommelier positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Fort Smith and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Wine KnowledgeTastingFood PairingInventory ManagementCustomer ServiceSommelier Certification

Job Outlook

Nationally, sommelier employment is projected to grow 12% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Sommelier Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open sommelier positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Sommelier Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Sommelier make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median sommelier salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $49,600 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $62,000. Salaries range from $25,600 (10th percentile) to $100,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Sommelier make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $49,600, a sommelier in Fort Smith earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for sommelier pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median sommelier salary of $49,600 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $52,080. 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 sommelier salary of $49,600 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a sommelier in Fort Smith? ▼
Most sommelier positions in Fort Smith require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Wine Knowledge, Tasting, Food Pairing, Inventory Management. The job market is projected to grow 12% nationally over the next decade.