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Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Fort Smith, AR

BLS Official DataUpdated 2025-05-31
Median Annual

$51,070

Mean: $50,300

~$39,835 est. take-home

Hourly Rate

$24.55

Based on 2,080 hrs/yr

Cost of Living

100

100 = national avg

B

Affordable

Affordability score: 73/100

Monthly surplus

$1,043/mo

Savings rate

29%

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Fort Smith, AR — median $51,070/year, range $42,370-$60,530

Salary Distribution

Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.

25th %

$42,370

Median

$51,070

75th %

$60,530

Median is in the 48th percentile of the typical range

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in other AR cities

Compare the same occupation across cities in AR.

About Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries in Fort Smith, AR

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $51,070 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $50,300, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Most police and sheriff's patrol officers in this area earn between $42,370 and $60,530. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.

That works out to roughly $24.55 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.

Career Outlook

3% growthAs fast as average (BLS 2024–2034)

3% growth, but many departments are struggling to recruit. The result: higher starting pay, signing bonuses, and better benefits than a decade ago. Some cities are offering $25K+ signing bonuses for experienced officers.

Worth knowing: Overtime can add 20–40% to your base salary, especially in larger departments. Officers who pick up specialized training (SWAT, K-9, cybercrime) have the most advancement opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a police and sheriff's patrol officers in Fort Smith?

The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $51,070. The average (mean) is $50,300, which is higher because top earners pull it up.

How much does a police and sheriff's patrol officers make per hour in Fort Smith?

About $24.55/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.

What is the salary range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Fort Smith?

The middle 50% earn between $42,370 and $60,530. Below $42,370 is typically entry-level; above $60,530 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.

Salary Conversion Table

How does $51,070 per year break down across different time periods?

PeriodGrossEst. Take-Home
Yearly$51,070$39,835
Monthly$4,256$3,320
Biweekly$1,964$1,532
Weekly$982$766
Hourly (40h/wk)$24.55$19.15
Hourly (35h/wk)$28.06$21.89
Hourly (30h/wk)$32.74$25.54
Daily (8h)$196$153

Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.

Top 10 cities nationwide for police and sheriff's patrol officers, based on BLS median salary data.

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