Childcare Worker salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Childcare Workers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $27,940 a year ($13.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 360 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,710 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $34,980. Pay here is 2% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $28,450. There are 3.8 childcare workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $28,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for childcare workers in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,880 | $11.00 |
| 25th percentile | $24,300 | $11.68 |
| Median | $27,940 | $13.43 |
| 75th percentile | $32,910 | $15.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,710 | $17.17 |
| Average (mean) | $28,110 | $13.52 |
Half of childcare workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,328.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,164.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,074.62 |
| Weekly | $537.31 |
| Hourly | $13.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Childcare Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lawton, OK | $33,300 | 260 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $30,210 | 1,060 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $29,360 | 180 |
| Tulsa, OK | $29,190 | 1,640 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $28,860 | 2,780 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $28,800 | 1,550 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $28,550 | 500 |
| Enid, OK | $26,300 | 100 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $25,090 | 2,900 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $24,680 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for childcare workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $47,340 |
| Washington | $41,680 |
| Massachusetts | $40,900 |
| Colorado | $40,750 |
| California | $40,020 |
| Oregon | $38,650 |
| Vermont | $38,030 |
| New York | $37,590 |
| New Hampshire | $37,080 |
| Hawaii | $37,030 |
See Childcare Worker pay in every state or the Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Recreation Worker | $25,690 | $12.35 |
| Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors | $44,680 | $21.48 |
| Residential Advisor | $39,010 | $18.76 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $26,930 | $12.95 |
| Animal Caretaker | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $28,090 | $13.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $32,750 | $15.75 |
| Skincare Specialist | $36,250 | $17.43 |
More: Personal Care and Service Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 39-9011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a childcare worker make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for childcare workers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $27,940 a year, or $13.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,710 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid childcare workers make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of childcare workers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $35,710 a year. The top 25% earn $32,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for childcare workers in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,880 a year, and a quarter of childcare workers earn $24,300 or less.
How many childcare workers work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 360 childcare workers are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.