Police Officer Salary in Fort Smith, AR: $52,633 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Fort Smith, AR earns a median $52,633/year (≈ $25.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Fort Smith's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $61,281 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, Arkansas, police officer pay is primarily driven by both base salary and potential overtime, particularly from mandatory court appearances and special details. With a median annual salary projected at $52,633 for 2026, compensation in this area falls significantly below the national median of $78,542. The salary range for officers here is quite varied, spanning from $37,885 at the lower end (P10) to $64,608 at the higher end (P90). Data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) highlights the economic realities faced by local officers, incentivizing effective pay structures rooted in overtime opportunities. Such dynamics demonstrate the challenges and variances in the law enforcement job market unique to Fort Smith.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,885 | $18.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,667 | $20.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,633 | $25.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,382 | $29.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,608 | $31.06 |
Median Salary Position
32.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Smith
In Fort Smith, AR, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,723 (2026 est.). At $52,633, the local median is 32.99% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Smith: You'd be above the median
How Fort Smith Police Officer Pay Compares
Fort Smith median: $52,633/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Smith Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $78,542 | -32.99% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Smith has a cost of living 14.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Smith, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.888 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $52,633 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,281 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,240
2025 BLS Actual
$51,070
2026 Current Est.
$52,633
2019–2027 Growth
+58.4%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,240 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,570 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,620 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,633 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,243 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Smith metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 49.2% from $34,240 (2019) to $51,070 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,243 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,003 (58.42%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,885 – $43,667 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,667 – $52,633 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,633 – $62,382 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,382 – $64,608 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Fort Smith
A total of 400 police officers are employed in Fort Smith, illustrating a fairly stable job market for those in law enforcement. The cost of living index in the area stands at 85.888, which is below the national average and translates to more favorable purchasing power for local salaries compared to more expensive regions. Among employers, municipal police departments typically offer competitive salaries, but federal law enforcement agencies present higher pay scales that can be attractive for officers considering a career shift. Factors influencing the salary spread include agency type—it’s common for federal positions to outpace municipal—along with union contracts, overtime structures, and special assignments. For officers seeking to maximize their income in Fort Smith, pursuing specialized training, such as POST training for tactical units, can offer additional financial incentives. Furthermore, understanding and negotiating pension multipliers is critical, as they can significantly impact long-term financial security following retirement.
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $51,070 for police officersin the Fort Smith metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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