Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $39.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a mechanical engineer working in Fort Smith, AR runs $39.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,255 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,757 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, AR, the mechanical engineer hourly pay is projected to be $39.07 in 2026, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $51.51. This difference can impact part-time workers, particularly those who might work three days a week. For instance, someone on this schedule could expect to earn around $30,000 annually, which reflects a constrained earning potential compared to what full-time engineers often make. Entry-level positions generally start at $27.80 per hour, while top earners can reach up to $64.21 per hour. This salary data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlights the range of opportunities within various sectors, including automotive, aerospace, and HVAC, where mechanical engineers commonly utilize advanced CAD tools and engage in both onsite and remote work.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.80 | $222.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.99 | $303.90 |
| Median (P50) | $39.07 | $312.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.11 | $400.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64.21 | $513.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $39.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.07/hr, a mechanical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $81,262 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,882. 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) | $1,562.74 | $6,772 | $81,262 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $937.64 | $4,063 | $48,757 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $625.09 | $2,709 | $32,505 |
Compare ME, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer (Fort Smith) | $39.07 |
| Civil Engineer (National Avg) | $47.06 |
| Electrical Engineer (National Avg) | $54.18 |
| Industrial Engineer (National Avg) | $47.50 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
Mechanical Engineers in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $81,255 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.17% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 12.70% below the Arkansas state average of $93,076.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.07/hr = $48,757/year (purchasing power: $56,769).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,262/year (purchasing power: $94,614).
CoL index: 85.888 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for mechanical engineers in Fort Smith grew 17.5% from $32.30/hr (2019) to $37.96/hr (2025). At a 2.92% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.21/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem mechanical engineers 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 2.92% 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 Mechanical Engineer in Fort Smith
Assessing the earning potential for part-time mechanical engineers in Fort Smith suggests various avenues for maximizing income through contract work. The reality of per diem mechanical engineer pay in Fort Smith can range widely; for instance, contract roles often bill between $90 and $160 per hour. Specialized positions, particularly those requiring Professional Engineer (PE) licenses in HVAC, see rates as high as $100 to $180 per hour. Meanwhile, aerospace contract engineers, especially those with security clearances, can command between $120 and $220 hourly. Engineers currently housed in automotive or consumer products firms may prefer higher hourly rates but might sacrifice benefits. Negotiating for desirable perks while weighing the trade-offs between steady pay and the flexibility of freelance work is crucial in a city like Fort Smith, where employment opportunities are influenced by major industry players like Tesla and Boeing.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.
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 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for mechanical engineers 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, 6-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 2.92%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov