Optometrist Salary in Fort Smith, AR: $112,432 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time optometrist in Fort Smith, AR earns a median $112,432/year (≈ $54.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1041). Once you factor in Fort Smith's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $130,905 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, AR, the projected median annual salary for optometrists in 2026 is $112,432, which reflects a notable variance from the national median of $140,612. The salary range in this region spans from $59,676 at the 10th percentile to $171,881 for the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. In addition to the affable community atmosphere in Fort Smith, the local scope of practice—including advancements in glaucoma management, prescribing oral medications, and select surgical procedures—can contribute to higher compensation levels. This creates a unique incentive for optometrists to practice in this area, illustrating the dynamic employment landscape for eye care professionals in Fort Smith.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,676 | $28.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,943 | $36.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $112,432 | $54.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,624 | $63.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,881 | $82.64 |
Median Salary Position
20.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Smith
In Fort Smith, AR, the optometrist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,205 (2026 est.). At $112,432, the local median is 20.04% below the national median of $140,612.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Smith: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Smith Optometrist Pay Compares
Fort Smith median: $112,432/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Smith Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $122,209 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $140,612 | -20.04% less |
Optometrists in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $112,432 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.04% lower than the national median of $140,612 and 8.00% below the Arkansas state average of $122,209.
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 optometrist earning $112,432 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $130,905 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,200
2025 BLS Actual
$109,200
2026 Current Est.
$112,432
2019–2027 Growth
+174.3%
Salary Trajectory for Optometrists in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.96% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,389 | Actual |
| 2022 | $100,421 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,434 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,148 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,200 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $112,432 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115,760 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Smith metropolitan area, the median optometrist salary grew 158.8% from $42,200 (2019) to $109,200 (2025). At a 2.96% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $115,760 by 2027 — a total increase of $73,560 (174.31%) 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 2.96% 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) | $59,676 – $75,943 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,943 – $112,432 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $112,432 – $131,624 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,624 – $171,881 |
OD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual optometrist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Optometrist Job Market in Fort Smith
A total of 40 optometrists are currently employed in Fort Smith, creating a relatively compact job market. With a cost-of-living index of 85.888, the purchasing power for optometrists here is more favorable compared to many regions across the country. Employers that typically offer higher compensation include private optometry practices, particularly those that incorporate an OD/MD model, which facilitates surgical referral revenue sharing. Additionally, practices that have transitioned to private equity ownership may have varying pay scales that could influence earnings. Factors such as practice ownership, advanced residency training in ocular disease, and the nature of employment (whether working in retail chains or private practices) all contribute to the disparity in pay. In this competitive market, optometrists looking to maximize their earnings should consider avenues such as pursuing advanced training, establishing their own practices, or negotiating favorable terms with potential employers to enhance their overall pay in Fort Smith.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Aisha Patel, OD
Career Analyst
Aisha Patel has 10 years of experience in optometry. She specializes in pediatric vision care. Aisha works in a private practice setting.
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 $109,200 for optometristsin the Fort Smith metropolitan area. A 2.96% 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, 4-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 2.96%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for optometrists (SOC 29-1041).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, OD, a licensed optometrist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov