Construction & Real Estate Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Urban Planner Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median urban planner salary in Fort Smith, AR is $63,632 per year, which is 20% below the national median and 4.8% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$63,632
vs State Avg
$-3,182
vs National
$-15,908
Cost of Living
80%

Urban Planner Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median urban planner salary of $63,632, which is $3,182 below the Arkansas state average of $66,814. Compared to the national median of $79,540, 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 $63,632 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $79,540 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for urban planners seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for urban planners in Fort Smith spans from $40,000 at the 10th percentile to $97,600 at the 90th percentile — a $57,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $41,600, while senior urban planners 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.

Urban Planner Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level urban planner earns around $41,600, 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)
$41,600
$-10,400 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$64,800
$-16,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$94,400
$-23,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $40,000
25th Percentile $50,400
Median (50th) $63,632
75th Percentile $80,000
90th Percentile $97,600

Urban Planner Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$69,995
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$69,200
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$66,814
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$65,223
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Urban Planner in Fort Smith

Education

Most urban planner positions require a master's degree. Fort Smith and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Urban PlanningGISZoning LawCommunity EngagementData AnalysisAutoCAD

Job Outlook

Nationally, urban planner employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Urban Planner Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open urban planner positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Urban Planner Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Urban Planner make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median urban planner salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $63,632 per year, which is 20% below the national median of $79,540. Salaries range from $40,000 (10th percentile) to $97,600 (90th percentile).
How much does a Urban Planner make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $63,632, a urban planner in Fort Smith earns approximately $31 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for urban planner pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median urban planner salary of $63,632 is 4.8% below the Arkansas state average of $66,814. 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 urban planner salary of $63,632 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a urban planner in Fort Smith? ▼
Most urban planner positions in Fort Smith require a master's degree. Key skills include Urban Planning, GIS, Zoning Law, Community Engagement. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.