Elementary School Teacher Salary in Fort Smith, AR: $53,136 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Fort Smith, AR earns a median $53,136/year (≈ $25.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Fort Smith's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $61,867 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.9% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for elementary school teachers in Fort Smith, AR, is projected at $53,136, reflecting a significant gap when compared to the national median of $64,597. This disparity manifests through a salary range from $47,451 at the 10th percentile to $82,228 at the 90th percentile, suggesting that while most educators earn within a moderate range, opportunities for higher pay exist, particularly for those in specialized subject areas. Incentives such as shortage stipends for special education, STEM, and bilingual educators can further raise base pay, particularly critical in a fluctuating job market influenced by the demand for diverse teaching expertise. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, presents a comprehensive overview that signifies both the challenges and opportunities within Fort Smith's educational sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,451 | $22.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,945 | $24.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,136 | $25.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,930 | $31.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,228 | $39.53 |
Median Salary Position
17.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Smith
In Fort Smith, AR, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,777 (2026 est.). At $53,136, the local median is 17.74% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Smith: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Fort Smith Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Fort Smith median: $53,136/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Smith Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $58,327 | -8.90% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -17.74% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $53,136 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.74% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 8.90% below the Arkansas state average of $58,327.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Smith has a cost of living 14.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Smith, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.888 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $53,136 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,867 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,570
2025 BLS Actual
$52,620
2026 Current Est.
$53,136
2019–2027 Growth
+15.2%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,136 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,656 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Smith metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 13.0% from $46,570 (2019) to $52,620 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,656 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,086 (15.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Smith metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,451 – $49,945 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,945 – $53,136 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,136 – $64,930 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,930 – $82,228 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Fort Smith
With 840 employed elementary school teachers contributing to the local job market, Fort Smith reflects a stable demand for educational professionals. The cost of living index at 85.888 indicates that living expenses are below the national average, which may offer teachers slightly more purchasing power despite the challenge of lower salaries in the area. Among local employers, K-12 public school districts typically offer the most competitive salaries, although charter schools and private institutions can vary widely in pay structures. Factors influencing the pay spread include the traditional step-and-lane pay scale based on experience and education, as well as potential stipends for teachers in shortage areas. Strategies for maximizing pay include pursuing advanced degrees, acquiring National Board Certification, and seeking supplemental contracts through summer school or tutoring programs, ultimately positioning teachers to enhance their financial outcomes in Fort Smith's educational landscape.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $52,620 for elementary school teachersin the Fort Smith metropolitan area. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov