Firefighter salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Firefighters in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $35,990 a year ($17.30 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $29,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,940 for the top 10%. That is 39% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 9% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $39,690. There are 1.6 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $38,840, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,680 | $14.27 |
| 25th percentile | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| Median | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| 75th percentile | $43,360 | $20.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,940 | $24.01 |
| Average (mean) | $38,840 | $18.67 |
Half of firefighters 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 | $2,999.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,499.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,384.23 |
| Weekly | $692.12 |
| Hourly | $17.30 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $62,910 | 1,660 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $61,460 | 1,590 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $49,940 | 180 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $48,110 | 760 |
| Tulsa, OK | $47,600 | 960 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $38,570 | 660 |
| Lawton, OK | $36,500 | 160 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $34,630 | 50 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $31,440 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 |
| Washington | $94,520 |
| California | $85,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 |
| Illinois | $78,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 |
| Colorado | $74,170 |
| Maryland | $73,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $51,070 | $24.55 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $71,730 | $34.49 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $33,790 | $16.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| School Bus Monitor | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,710 | $22.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $39,610 | $19.05 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $46,380 | $22.30 |
More: Protective 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 33-2011. 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 firefighter make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for firefighters in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $35,990 a year, or $17.30 an hour. Pay ranges from $29,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $49,940 a year. The top 25% earn $43,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $29,680 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $32,720 or less.
How many firefighters work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 150 firefighters are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.