Police Officer Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $25.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Fort Smith, AR runs $25.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,633 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,576 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, Arkansas, police officer hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $25.30 in 2026. This figure falls significantly short when compared to the national median hourly rate of $37.76, highlighting a disparity that can affect local officers' overall financial well-being. For part-time officers working three days a week, this hourly wage translates to manageable weekly earnings, though they may find themselves under financial pressure, especially when balancing the cost of living in the area. The hourly earnings for this profession can range from $18.22 at entry-level positions to $31.06 for more experienced officers, reflecting the diverse responsibilities held within roles that may include patrolling city streets or working in specialized units like K-9 operations.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.22 | $145.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.99 | $167.95 |
| Median (P50) | $25.30 | $202.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.99 | $239.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.06 | $248.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $25.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.30/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $52,627 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,361. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Smith.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Smith
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,012.05 | $4,386 | $52,627 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $607.23 | $2,631 | $31,576 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $404.82 | $1,754 | $21,051 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Fort Smith) | $25.30 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $28.13 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator (National Avg) | $45.86 |
| Correctional Officer (National Avg) | $25.24 |
| Security Guard (National Avg) | $17.32 |
Police Officers in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $52,633 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.99% lower than the national median of $78,542.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.30/hr = $31,576/year (purchasing power: $36,764).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,627/year (purchasing power: $61,273).
CoL index: 85.888 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+58.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Fort Smith grew 49.1% from $16.46/hr (2019) to $24.55/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.08/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem police officers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Smith metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Police Officer in Fort Smith
Considering the realities of part-time work in law enforcement, a police officer operating three days a week at 24 hours of duty can expect to take home a lesser amount annually compared to full-time counterparts. The dynamics of per-diem police officer pay in Fort Smith illustrate an interesting facet of the profession. While primary salaries may be supplemented by overtime for required court appearances or special assignments, which can offer pay rates at 1.5 times the base, some officers opt for additional off-duty work, such as providing security for events on a per diem basis. These opportunities can typically range from $35 to $75 per hour, depending on demand. The rates vary significantly across employer types — such as municipal departments versus federal agencies — and some officers may trade a lower hourly rate for comprehensive benefits, including health insurance and retirement plans. For those negotiating their hourly pay, understanding the local job market and being aware of the varied pay scales across different types of law enforcement in Fort Smith can be crucial in achieving a favorable work-life balance.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for police officers in Fort Smith. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
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