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Welder Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

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

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$47,010/ year

Median Welder in Fort Smith, AR

$28,700
10th
$35,000
25th
$47,010
Median
$63,000
75th
$76,860
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$47,010
Total compensation (est.)
$54,061
Bonus range
$1,750 – $7,560
Mean salary
$49,831

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
$47,010
Arkansas median
$47,950-2.0%
National median
$47,010

Cost of living in Fort Smith is 0% below the national average. Salary of $47,010 here is equivalent to $47,010 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$33,847-28.0%
3-5 years
$42,779-9.0%
6-10 years
$52,651+12.0%
10+ years
$64,874+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$41,369-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$47,010
Enterprise (5,000+)
$55,472+18.0%

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$45K
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Welder Salaries in Nearby Cities

Little Rock, AR$38,548/yr
Fayetteville, AR$47,010/yr

Related Jobs in Fort Smith

Electrician$61,590/yr
Plumber$61,550/yr
HVAC Technician$57,300/yr
Carpenter$56,590/yr
Pipefitter$61,550/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$23/hr
Monthly gross$3,918/mo
25th percentile$35,000/yr
75th percentile$63,000/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.

Welder Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Welder salary in Fort Smith?

The median Welder salary in Fort Smith is $47,010 per year, with a range from $35,000 at the 25th percentile to $63,000 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

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

Welder salaries in Fort Smith are 0% above the national median of $47,010. After adjusting for Fort Smith's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $47,010 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect Welder salaries in Fort Smith?

In Fort Smith, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level Welder roles start around $28,700, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $76,860 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 Welder jobs?

Fort Smith offers a Welder median of $47,010, which is 0% above the US median of $47,010. 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 Welder salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for Welder in Fort Smith is $63,000, 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.