Police Officer Salary

Fort Smith vs Rogers: Police Officer Salary (2026)

Compare police officer salaries between Fort Smith, AR and Rogers, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Smith, AR
$52,633
$25.30/hr
Rogers, AR
$55,955
$26.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Smith, ARRogers, AR
Median Salary$52,633$55,955
Hourly Rate$25.30$26.90
Entry Level (P10)$37,885$34,314
25th Percentile$43,667$42,686
75th Percentile$62,382$71,623
Top Earner (P90)$64,608$84,296
Total Employed40011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Smith ($52,633) and Rogers ($55,955) police officer salaries.Fort SmithRogersMedian Salary$52,633$55,955Entry Level (P10)$37,885$34,314Top Earner (P90)$64,608$84,296US Median $78,542

Verdict

Rogers, AR offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Smith.

The salary gap between Fort Smith and Rogers is $3,322 (6.31%). Rogers's median is -28.76% compared to the US national median of $78,542.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Smith spans $26,723,Rogers spans $49,982. Rogers has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.

Fort Smith
P10 (Entry)$37,885
P25$43,667
Median$52,633
P75$62,382
P90 (Top)$64,608
Rogers
P10 (Entry)$34,314
P25$42,686
Median$55,955
P75$71,623
P90 (Top)$84,296

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rogers ($64,390 effective) pays 5.07% more than Fort Smith ($61,281 effective).

Fort Smith
Nominal: $52,633
CoL Index: 85.888
Adjusted: $61,281
Rogers
Nominal: $55,955
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $64,390

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Smith if…

  • Larger job market (400 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Rogers if…

  • Higher median salary ($55,955/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,296)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,390)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Fort Smith grew 49.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 38.0% growth in Rogers over the same period.

Fort Smith, AR

+49.2%

$34,240 (2019) → $51,070 (2025)

Rogers, AR

+38.0%

$39,347 (2024) → $54,294 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays police officers more: Fort Smith or Rogers?

Rogers has a higher median police officer salary at $55,955/year, compared to Fort Smith at $52,633/year — a difference of $3,322 (6.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Smith and Rogers?

Fort Smith police officers earn $25.30/hr while Rogers hygienists earn $26.90/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Smith to Rogers as a police officer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Smith and Rogers. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Smith = $61,281, Rogers = $64,390), job availability (400 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level police officers earn in Fort Smith vs Rogers?

Entry-level (10th percentile) police officers earn $37,885 in Fort Smith and $34,314 in Rogers. The Fort Smith area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice

Career Analyst

Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov