Helpers--Production Worker Salary in Fort Smith, AR
Helpers--Production Workers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median $34,860 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $29,043 take-home, or $2,420 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median helpers--production worker salary in Fort Smith, AR. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,003
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,161
- Medicare (1.45%)$505
- Arkansas income tax$1,147
- Take-home pay$29,043
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.
Helpers--Production Worker pay by experience in Fort Smith, AR
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,270 | $16.48 | $28,592 | $2,383 |
| 25th percentile | $34,270 | $16.48 | $28,592 | $2,383 |
| Median (50th) | $34,860 | $16.76 | $29,043 | $2,420 |
| 75th percentile | $41,050 | $19.74 | $33,775 | $2,815 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,460 | $21.86 | $37,147 | $3,096 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arkansas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $34,860 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 helpers--production worker's $29,043 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,815 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Fort Smith, AR has 5.4× the national concentration of helpers--production worker jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for helpers--production workers, adjusted for cost of living
Fort Smith, AR ranks #40 of 69 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cincinnati, OH | $46,410 | $38,977 | $40,869 |
| 2 | Hartford, CT | $48,690 | $40,036 | $38,966 |
| 3 | Springfield, MO | $41,040 | $34,164 | $38,566 |
| 4 | Knoxville, TN | $41,330 | $35,389 | $38,229 |
| 5 | Kansas City, MO | $42,210 | $35,049 | $37,873 |
| 6 | Cleveland, OH | $41,730 | $35,345 | $37,632 |
| 7 | Greensboro, NC | $42,240 | $34,943 | $37,628 |
| 8 | Morristown, TN | $37,700 | $32,472 | $37,599 |
| 40 | Fort Smith, AR | $34,860 | $29,043 | $33,815 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 69 metros →
Helpers--Production Worker salaries elsewhere in Arkansas
- Little Rock, AR — $38,990
- Fayetteville, AR — $37,530
Frequently asked questions
How much does a helpers--production worker make in Fort Smith, AR?
The median helpers--production worker salary in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $34,860 a year, or about $16.76 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $34,270 and $41,050.
What is a helpers--production worker’s take-home pay in Fort Smith, AR?
On the median $34,860 salary, a single filer living in Arkansas takes home about $29,043 a year ($2,420 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,147 in Arkansas taxes in 2026.
Is Fort Smith, AR a good place to work as a helpers--production worker?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $39,070. Local prices are 14.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,815 would in a typical U.S. city. Fort Smith, AR ranks #40 of 69 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a helpers--production worker 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) — 30% of a median helpers--production worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.