Business & Finance Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Tax Preparer Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median tax preparer salary in Fort Smith, AR is $37,032 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$37,032
vs State Avg
$-1,852
vs National
$-9,258
Cost of Living
80%

Tax Preparer Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median tax preparer salary of $37,032, which is $1,852 below the Arkansas state average of $38,884. Compared to the national median of $46,290, 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 $37,032 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $46,290 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for tax preparers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for tax preparers in Fort Smith spans from $20,000 at the 10th percentile to $70,400 at the 90th percentile — a $50,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $22,400, while senior tax preparers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $65,600. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Tax Preparer Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level tax preparer earns around $22,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $65,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$22,400
$-5,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$38,400
$-9,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$65,600
$-16,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $20,000
25th Percentile $25,600
Median (50th) $37,032
75th Percentile $52,000
90th Percentile $70,400

Tax Preparer Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$40,735
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$40,272
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$38,884
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$37,958
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Tax Preparer in Fort Smith

Education

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

Key Skills

Tax LawTax SoftwareFinancial RecordsAttention to DetailClient CommunicationIRS Regulations

Job Outlook

Nationally, tax preparer employment is projected to grow 2% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Tax Preparer Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open tax preparer positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Tax Preparer Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Tax Preparer make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median tax preparer salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $37,032 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $46,290. Salaries range from $20,000 (10th percentile) to $70,400 (90th percentile).
How much does a Tax Preparer make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $37,032, a tax preparer in Fort Smith earns approximately $18 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for tax preparer pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median tax preparer salary of $37,032 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $38,884. 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 tax preparer salary of $37,032 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a tax preparer in Fort Smith? ▼
Most tax preparer positions in Fort Smith require a high school diploma. Key skills include Tax Law, Tax Software, Financial Records, Attention to Detail. The job market is projected to grow 2% nationally over the next decade.