Plumber Salary in Fort Smith, AR: $49,568 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Fort Smith, AR earns a median $49,568/year (≈ $23.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Fort Smith's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $57,712 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, Arkansas, plumbers can expect a median annual salary of $49,568 by 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $65,408, reflecting a robust local market that balances lower living costs with the demand for skilled trades. The salary range for plumbers in the area spans from $37,656 at the bottom 10% to $64,096 at the top 90%, showcasing a diverse pay scale that can be influenced by various factors including experience, specialty training, and the type of employer. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights the favorable positioning of Fort Smith in terms of job opportunities, especially given the ongoing need for plumbing services amidst an aging infrastructure and workforce.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,656 | $18.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,886 | $18.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,568 | $23.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,502 | $29.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,096 | $30.82 |
Median Salary Position
24.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Smith
In Fort Smith, AR, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,440 (2026 est.). At $49,568, the local median is 24.22% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Smith: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Smith Plumber Pay Compares
Fort Smith median: $49,568/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Smith Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,408 | -24.22% less |
Plumbers in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $49,568 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.22% lower than the national median of $65,408.
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 plumber earning $49,568 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,712 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,140
2025 BLS Actual
$48,350
2026 Current Est.
$49,568
2019–2027 Growth
+15.1%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,568 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,818 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Smith metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 9.5% from $44,140 (2019) to $48,350 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,818 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,678 (15.13%) 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 2.52% 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) | $37,656 – $38,886 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,886 – $49,568 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,568 – $61,502 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,502 – $64,096 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Fort Smith
With 250 plumbers employed in the Fort Smith area, the job market presents solid prospects for both new and seasoned professionals. The cost-of-living index is 85.888, indicating that daily expenses are below the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of local plumbers and make the trade financially attractive. Employers in Fort Smith vary significantly in pay, with union plumbing contractors typically offering higher wages compared to non-union or open-shop contractors. Specializations, such as medical gas and industrial maintenance, command premiums, as do plumbers with advanced certifications who can pivot between service, commercial, and industrial jobs. To maximize earning potential in this market, aspiring plumbers should consider union affiliation, seek out specialty credentials, and pursue employment with reputable service companies that offer competitive commission structures and opportunities for advancement through overtime and call-out pay.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Samuel Torres, CWP
Career Analyst
Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.
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 $48,350 for plumbersin the Fort Smith metropolitan area. A 2.52% 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 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov