Mechanical Engineer salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Mechanical Engineers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $78,950 a year ($37.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,770 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 2% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $80,180. There are 1.6 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $91,620, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,170 | $27.01 |
| 25th percentile | $76,760 | $36.91 |
| Median | $78,950 | $37.96 |
| 75th percentile | $101,280 | $48.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,770 | $62.39 |
| Average (mean) | $91,620 | $44.05 |
Half of mechanical engineers 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 | $6,579.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,289.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,036.54 |
| Weekly | $1,518.27 |
| Hourly | $37.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa, OK | $107,440 | 1,060 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $106,330 | 70 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $104,110 | 390 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $96,930 | 710 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $93,800 | 330 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $80,180 | 260 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $76,690 | 160 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $97,460 | $46.85 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,330 | $48.24 |
| Engineers, All Other | $79,890 | $38.41 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $79,960 | $38.44 |
More: Architecture and Engineering 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 17-2141. 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 mechanical engineer make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $78,950 a year, or $37.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $129,770 a year. The top 25% earn $101,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,170 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $76,760 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 150 mechanical engineers are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.