Construction Laborer Salary in Fort Smith, AR
Construction Laborers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median $36,950 a year — 22% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $30,641 take-home, or $2,553 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median construction laborer salary in Fort Smith, AR. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,254
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,291
- Medicare (1.45%)$536
- Arkansas income tax$1,228
- Take-home pay$30,641
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.90% state
The Fort Smith, AR-OK metro spans Arkansas, Oklahoma. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Construction Laborer pay by experience in Fort Smith, AR
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,130 | $14.49 | $25,427 | $2,119 |
| 25th percentile | $33,920 | $16.31 | $28,325 | $2,360 |
| Median (50th) | $36,950 | $17.76 | $30,641 | $2,553 |
| 75th percentile | $45,400 | $21.83 | $37,101 | $3,092 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,460 | $22.82 | $38,676 | $3,223 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arkansas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $36,950 buys in Fort Smith, AR
Prices in Fort Smith, AR are 14.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 47% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median construction laborer's $30,641 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,676 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Construction Laborer jobs are about as common in Fort Smith, AR as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.99).
Best-paying cities for construction laborers, adjusted for cost of living
Fort Smith, AR ranks #244 of 286 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vineland, NJ | $83,680 | $64,558 | $67,271 |
| 2 | Trenton, NJ | $71,920 | $57,000 | $55,243 |
| 3 | Kahului, HI | $79,760 | $60,410 | $55,222 |
| 4 | Duluth, MN | $61,340 | $48,819 | $54,996 |
| 5 | Decatur, IL | $61,270 | $48,522 | $54,876 |
| 6 | St. Louis, MO | $64,500 | $51,912 | $54,593 |
| 7 | Peoria, IL | $62,960 | $49,797 | $54,583 |
| 8 | Jefferson City, MO | $58,220 | $47,161 | $53,607 |
| 244 | Fort Smith, AR | $36,950 | $30,641 | $35,676 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 286 metros →
Construction Laborer salaries elsewhere in Arkansas
- Fayetteville, AR — $39,370
- Little Rock, AR — $37,190
Frequently asked questions
How much does a construction laborer make in Fort Smith, AR?
The median construction laborer salary in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $36,950 a year, or about $17.76 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $33,920 and $45,400.
What is a construction laborer’s take-home pay in Fort Smith, AR?
On the median $36,950 salary, a single filer living in Arkansas takes home about $30,641 a year ($2,553 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,228 in Arkansas taxes in 2026.
Is Fort Smith, AR a good place to work as a construction laborer?
Pay here is 22% below the national median of $47,120. Local prices are 14.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,676 would in a typical U.S. city. Fort Smith, AR ranks #244 of 286 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a construction laborer afford rent in Fort Smith, AR?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fort Smith, AR is $714 a month ($937 for two bedrooms) — 28% of a median construction laborer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.