Lawyer salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Lawyers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $88,100 a year ($42.36 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,730 for the top 10%. That is 45% lower than the national median of $159,670. Pay here is 11% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $98,880. There are 1.8 lawyers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.37). The average (mean) salary is $125,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for lawyers in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,140 | $22.18 |
| 25th percentile | $61,890 | $29.75 |
| Median | $88,100 | $42.36 |
| 75th percentile | $112,290 | $53.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,730 | $75.83 |
| Average (mean) | $125,870 | $60.52 |
Half of lawyers 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 | $7,341.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,670.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,388.46 |
| Weekly | $1,694.23 |
| Hourly | $42.36 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Lawyer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $134,440 | 1,670 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $126,220 | 810 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $118,410 | 120 |
| Tulsa, OK | $108,220 | 1,820 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $103,490 | 4,310 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $97,870 | 1,670 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $92,700 | 90 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $92,510 | 90 |
| Lawton, OK | $92,000 | 60 |
| Enid, OK | $87,980 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for lawyers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $207,860 |
| District of Columbia | $195,190 |
| California | $195,080 |
| Massachusetts | $176,680 |
| Delaware | $173,510 |
| Colorado | $168,520 |
| Virginia | $167,210 |
| Connecticut | $163,600 |
| New Jersey | $161,430 |
| Illinois | $160,800 |
See Lawyer pay in every state or the Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | $46,620 | $22.41 |
| Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers | $46,550 | $22.38 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 23-1011. 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 lawyer make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for lawyers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $88,100 a year, or $42.36 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid lawyers make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of lawyers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $157,730 a year. The top 25% earn $112,290 or more.
What is the starting pay for lawyers in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,140 a year, and a quarter of lawyers earn $61,890 or less.
How many lawyers work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 170 lawyers are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.