Highest paying jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
The best paying occupations in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, ranked by median annual wage. Metro wage estimates are suppressed more often than state ones — BLS withholds any figure that too few local employers report — so an occupation missing here simply has no published local estimate.
Cost of living: prices here run 14.1% below the national average (2024).
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025
| # | Occupation | MedianFort Smith, AR-OK | 10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physicians, All OtherDoctoral or professional degree | $258,130 | $59,330 – $398,040 | 170 |
| 2 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight EngineersBachelor's degree | $170,960 | $132,620 – $170,960 | 40 |
| 3 | Dentists, GeneralDoctoral or professional degree | $165,060 | $55,790 – $205,730 | 100 |
| 4 | PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree | $133,520 | $121,760 – $165,370 | 160 |
| 5 | Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree | $131,100 | $99,320 – $199,930 | 100 |
| 6 | Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree | $129,270 | $101,120 – $171,590 | 270 |
| 7 | Purchasing ManagersBachelor's degree | $125,330 | $78,050 – $200,580 | 60 |
| 8 | Physician AssistantsMaster's degree | $119,840 | $103,490 – $165,750 | 70 |
| 9 | Computer and Information Systems ManagersBachelor's degree | $114,760 | $75,500 – $181,210 | 190 |
| 10 | Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree | $114,550 | $55,070 – $254,160 | 210 |
| 11 | Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree | $114,270 | $81,890 – $165,270 | 50 |
| 12 | Software DevelopersBachelor's degree | $114,140 | $58,640 – $155,180 | 200 |
| 13 | OptometristsDoctoral or professional degree | $109,200 | $57,960 – $166,940 | 40 |
| 14 | Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree | $106,520 | $75,040 – $179,140 | 220 |
| 15 | Financial ManagersBachelor's degree | $104,990 | $65,610 – $201,560 | 460 |
| 16 | VeterinariansDoctoral or professional degree | $104,110 | $39,260 – $156,180 | 40 |
| 17 | Human Resources ManagersBachelor's degree | $103,580 | $64,660 – $178,990 | 100 |
| 18 | Facilities ManagersBachelor's degree | $103,300 | $60,790 – $168,500 | 60 |
| 19 | Civil EngineersBachelor's degree | $100,330 | $64,380 – $155,990 | 110 |
| 20 | Diagnostic Medical SonographersAssociate's degree | $100,140 | $74,420 – $102,190 | 80 |
| 21 | Sales ManagersBachelor's degree | $99,110 | $49,990 – $208,350 | 230 |
| 22 | Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree | $98,730 | $75,800 – $129,460 | 160 |
| 23 | Managers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $98,500 | $50,530 – $163,220 | 360 |
| 24 | Occupational TherapistsMaster's degree | $97,740 | $37,330 – $133,070 | 140 |
| 25 | Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree | $97,460 | $71,880 – $130,290 | 150 |
| 26 | Computer Occupations, All OtherBachelor's degree | $96,920 | $61,360 – $128,290 | 70 |
| 27 | Education Administrators, Kindergarten through SecondaryMaster's degree | $96,420 | $80,460 – $110,180 | 190 |
| 28 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $94,800 | $58,800 – $116,580 | 70 |
| 29 | Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree | $93,990 | $65,110 – $165,920 | 90 |
| 30 | Medical and Health Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $91,720 | $55,270 – $135,560 | 370 |
| 31 | Information Security AnalystsBachelor's degree | $91,020 | $54,440 – $129,950 | 70 |
| 32 | Administrative Services ManagersBachelor's degree | $90,640 | $46,830 – $146,290 | 80 |
| 33 | LawyersDoctoral or professional degree | $88,100 | $46,140 – $157,730 | 170 |
| 34 | Computer ProgrammersBachelor's degree | $87,640 | $52,430 – $127,770 | 50 |
| 35 | Dental HygienistsAssociate's degree | $84,480 | $57,440 – $98,300 | 150 |
| 36 | Telecommunications Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $83,960 | $35,930 – $100,830 | 50 |
| 37 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent | $83,370 | $46,260 – $158,660 | 130 |
| 38 | Construction ManagersBachelor's degree | $82,940 | $57,960 – $114,940 | 130 |
| 39 | Financial and Investment AnalystsBachelor's degree | $82,300 | $47,450 – $127,320 | 60 |
| 40 | Speech-Language PathologistsMaster's degree | $81,300 | $50,810 – $124,830 | 150 |
| 41 | Occupational Therapy AssistantsAssociate's degree | $80,660 | $65,970 – $99,780 | 40 |
| 42 | Architects, Except Landscape and NavalBachelor's degree | $79,960 | $58,000 – $104,270 | 40 |
| 43 | Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree | $79,890 | $58,660 – $143,190 | 50 |
| 44 | Registered NursesBachelor's degree | $79,870 | $58,540 – $98,500 | 2,180 |
| 45 | Mechanical EngineersBachelor's degree | $78,950 | $56,170 – $129,770 | 150 |
| 46 | Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree | $78,080 | $60,680 – $79,070 | 100 |
| 47 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent | $77,760 | $51,860 – $98,070 | 100 |
| 48 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree | $77,300 | $41,060 – $172,040 | 100 |
| 49 | Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree | $75,180 | $50,450 – $189,430 | 70 |
| 50 | Project Management SpecialistsBachelor's degree | $74,990 | $46,710 – $123,650 | 290 |