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School Counselor Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$62,250/ year

Median School Counselor in Fort Smith, AR

$38,540
10th
$47,000
25th
$62,250
Median
$80,000
75th
$97,600
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$62,250
Total compensation (est.)
$71,588
Bonus range
$2,350 – $9,600
Mean salary
$65,985

How This Compares

ℹ

Local BLS metro data isn't available for Fort Smith yet — showing the national median as a reference. Add local data →

Fort Smith, AR median
$62,250
Arkansas median
$63,495-2.0%
National median
$62,250

Cost of living in Fort Smith is 0% below the national average. Salary of $62,250 here is equivalent to $62,250 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$44,820-28.0%
3-5 years
$56,648-9.0%
6-10 years
$69,720+12.0%
10+ years
$85,905+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$54,780-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$62,250
Enterprise (5,000+)
$73,455+18.0%

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School Counselor Salaries in Nearby Cities

Little Rock, AR$51,045/yr
Fayetteville, AR$62,250/yr

Related Jobs in Fort Smith

Elementary School Teacher$61,890/yr
High School Teacher$62,360/yr
Special Education Teacher$61,820/yr
University Professor$84,380/yr
Instructional Designer$77,990/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$30/hr
Monthly gross$5,188/mo
25th percentile$47,000/yr
75th percentile$80,000/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Arkansas Unemployment

Dec 2025

4.2%+0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

School Counselor Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average School Counselor salary in Fort Smith?

The median School Counselor salary in Fort Smith is $62,250 per year, with a range from $47,000 at the 25th percentile to $80,000 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does School Counselor pay in Fort Smith compare to the national average?

School Counselor salaries in Fort Smith are 0% above the national median of $62,250. After adjusting for Fort Smith's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $62,250 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect School Counselor salaries in Fort Smith?

In Fort Smith, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level School Counselor roles start around $38,540, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $97,600 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Fort Smith a good place for School Counselor jobs?

Fort Smith offers a School Counselor median of $62,250, which is 0% above the US median of $62,250. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Fort Smith is 0% cheaper than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher School Counselor salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for School Counselor in Fort Smith is $80,000, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.