Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $25.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a elementary school teacher working in Fort Smith, AR runs $25.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,136 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,884 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, Arkansas, the elementary school teacher hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $25.55 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median of $31.06. This difference can impact part-time educators working approximately three days a week, limiting their earnings in various instructional settings such as self-contained classrooms or after-school tutoring. For someone working part-time at this median rate, the range of earnings typically spans from $22.81 at entry-level positions to $39.53 for more experienced educators. Such disparities in hourly rates reflect not only the organization type but also the specific specializations within the teaching profession.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.81 | $182.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.01 | $192.10 |
| Median (P50) | $25.55 | $204.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.21 | $249.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.53 | $316.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $25.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.55/hr, a elementary school teacher working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $53,140 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,658. 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) | $1,021.92 | $4,428 | $53,140 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $613.15 | $2,657 | $31,884 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $408.77 | $1,771 | $21,256 |
Compare Teacher Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Elementary School Teacher (Fort Smith) | $25.55 |
| Middle School Teacher (National Avg) | $32.16 |
| High School Teacher (National Avg) | $33.55 |
| Preschool Teacher (National Avg) | $18.53 |
| Special Education Teacher (National Avg) | $32.74 |
Elementary School Teachers in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $53,136 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.74% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 8.90% below the Arkansas state average of $58,327.
Elementary School Teacher Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.55/hr = $31,884/year (purchasing power: $37,123).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,140/year (purchasing power: $61,871).
CoL index: 85.888 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.39/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for elementary school teachers in Fort Smith grew 13.0% from $22.39/hr (2019) to $25.30/hr (2025). At a 0.98% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.80/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem elementary school teachers 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 0.98% 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 Elementary School Teacher in Fort Smith
When considering part-time earning potential, a teacher working 24 hours a week could take home roughly $31,000 annually, while full-time teachers in Fort Smith earn much more. For those contemplating per diem or temporary work, daily pay rates for substitutes generally range from $100 to $200, with long-term substitutes commanding $140 to $250 per day. Tutoring opportunities can be lucrative, with platforms offering rates from $30 to $80 per hour. Elementary school teacher hourly rates vary depending on the type of education institution, whether K-12 public schools, charter networks, or private schools, which affects both salary and benefits. Many educators prioritize health insurance and retirement plans over higher hourly pay when choosing their employer. For teachers in Fort Smith, understanding the trade-offs and negotiating wisely—especially regarding hours and additional benefits—can enhance their overall compensation package.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.
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 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for elementary school teachers 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 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov