Optometrist salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Optometrists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $109,200 a year ($52.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,940 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $136,570. Pay here is 12% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $124,470. There are 0.38 optometrists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $108,990, close to the median.
Pay range for optometrists in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,960 | $27.86 |
| 25th percentile | $73,760 | $35.46 |
| Median | $109,200 | $52.50 |
| 75th percentile | $127,840 | $61.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,940 | $80.26 |
| Average (mean) | $108,990 | $52.40 |
Half of optometrists 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 | $9,100 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,550 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,200 |
| Weekly | $2,100 |
| Hourly | $52.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Optometrist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $131,890 | 80 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $129,080 | 110 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $114,360 | 70 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $104,870 | 170 |
| Tulsa, OK | $100,250 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for optometrists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $170,310 |
| Maryland | $165,840 |
| North Carolina | $161,560 |
| Delaware | $161,270 |
| New York | $161,140 |
| New Jersey | $159,040 |
| Minnesota | $158,700 |
| Washington | $157,560 |
| Hawaii | $154,620 |
| Maine | $154,110 |
See Optometrist pay in every state or the Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,870 | $38.40 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,270 | $62.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $258,130 | $124.10 |
| Pharmacist | $133,520 | $64.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,730 | $47.47 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,480 | $40.62 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,300 | $39.09 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,740 | $46.99 |
| Dentists, General | $165,060 | $79.36 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,080 | $37.54 |
| Physician Assistant | $119,840 | $57.61 |
| Therapists, All Other | $70,520 | $33.90 |
| Veterinarian | $104,110 | $50.06 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $55,880 | $26.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 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 29-1041. 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 optometrist make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for optometrists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $109,200 a year, or $52.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid optometrists make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of optometrists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $166,940 a year. The top 25% earn $127,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for optometrists in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,960 a year, and a quarter of optometrists earn $73,760 or less.
How many optometrists work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 40 optometrists are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.