Accountant Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $31.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a accountant working in Fort Smith, AR runs $31.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,634 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,789 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, AR, the projected median hourly pay for accountants in 2026 stands at $31.08. This rate is notably lower than the national median of $41.28, reflecting regional economic conditions and the cost of living. For accountants working part-time—approximately three days a week—this translates into important financial implications, particularly for those entering the profession and seeking flexibility. The hourly range spans from $22.16 for entry-level positions to $53.44 for top-tier earners in varied settings including corporate finance departments, government agencies, and firm engagements. These figures are derived from official BLS hourly data, illuminating the local compensation trends for accountants amidst a national backdrop.
Accountant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.16 | $177.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.14 | $201.12 |
| Median (P50) | $31.08 | $248.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.85 | $334.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.44 | $427.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $31.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.08/hr, a accountant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $64,648 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,297. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Smith.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Smith
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,243.22 | $5,387 | $64,648 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $745.93 | $3,232 | $38,789 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $497.29 | $2,155 | $25,859 |
Compare CPA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Accountant (Fort Smith) | $31.08 |
| Financial Analyst (National Avg) | $47.61 |
| Bookkeeping / Accounting Clerk (National Avg) | $22.93 |
| Auditor (National Avg) | $39.88 |
| Tax Examiner / Collector (National Avg) | $29.61 |
Accountants in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $64,634 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.73% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.30% below the Arkansas state average of $67,538.
Accountant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.08/hr = $38,789/year (purchasing power: $45,162).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,648/year (purchasing power: $75,270).
CoL index: 85.888 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.08/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Accountants in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for accountants in Fort Smith grew 9.2% from $27.75/hr (2019) to $30.29/hr (2025). At a 2.61% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.89/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem accountants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Accountant in Fort Smith
Considering the earning potential for part-time accountants, working just 24 hours weekly at the median pay would yield an annual income significantly lower than that of full-time colleagues. Per-diem and contract accountants often command rates between $50 and $95 per hour, depending on their specialization; seasoned professionals—particularly those with backgrounds in the Big 4—can expect to bill $80 to $130 during peak periods. In Fort Smith, the hourly rates vary substantially based on employment type, with public accounting firms, corporate environments, and government positions each offering distinct levels of pay. Accountants may choose lower-paying roles for benefits like health coverage or pursue higher rates as independent contractors, where there's no guaranteed stability but greater earning potential. Negotiating hourly wages effectively requires an understanding of these dynamics, as well as the ability to articulate the value of one’s expertise in a competitive job market.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for accountants in Fort Smith in 2026?
How much do part-time accountants make in Fort Smith?
Are accountants in Fort Smith paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time accountant make per year in Fort Smith?
Do accountants earn more per hour working part-time in Fort Smith?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arkansas
Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for accountants in Fort Smith. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov