Pharmacist Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $65.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a pharmacist working in Fort Smith, AR runs $65.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $135,963 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1051). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $76.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $81,575 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, Arkansas, the pharmacist hourly pay averages $65.36, slightly below the national median of $68.99. This hourly rate offers flexibility for various work arrangements, including part-time positions typically scheduled for three days a week, as well as per-diem opportunities in settings such as retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, and specialty clinics. The hourly range spans from $59.61 for entry-level positions to $80.97 for seasoned professionals, reflecting the diverse landscape of pharmacy roles in the city. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, provides a clear picture of the earning potential for pharmacists in Fort Smith, especially as demand shifts towards outpatient care and specialized services.
Pharmacist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59.61 | $476.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62.87 | $502.96 |
| Median (P50) | $65.36 | $522.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74.04 | $592.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80.97 | $647.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $65.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $65.36/hr, a pharmacist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $135,959 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $78,438. 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) | $2,614.59 | $11,330 | $135,959 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,568.75 | $6,798 | $81,575 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,045.83 | $4,532 | $54,383 |
Compare PharmD Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Pharmacist (Fort Smith) | $65.36 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physician Assistant (National Avg) | $63.17 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $60.81 |
Pharmacists in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $135,963 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.25% lower than the national median of $143,489 and 1.20% below the Arkansas state average of $137,615.
Pharmacist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $65.36/hr = $81,575/year (purchasing power: $94,978).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $135,959/year (purchasing power: $158,297).
CoL index: 85.888 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$61.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$64.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$65.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+7.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Pharmacists in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $62.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $60.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $60.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $63.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $64.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for pharmacists in Fort Smith grew 4.1% from $61.68/hr (2019) to $64.19/hr (2025). At a 1.83% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $66.56/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem pharmacists 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 1.83% 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 Pharmacist in Fort Smith
The potential earnings for part-time pharmacists working a 3-day week translate to a significantly lower annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. Many pharmacists in Fort Smith pursuing per-diem roles find themselves earning between $55 and $95 per hour, depending on the specialty. Retail pharmacists often receive less per hour than their hospital or specialty pharmacy peers, as chains grapple with consolidation and closures. Notably, some may opt for lower hourly rates at retail locations in exchange for benefits like health insurance, while others choose higher hourly wages without these perks. When negotiating pay, understanding typical rates across different employer types—including CVS, Walgreens, and local hospitals—can empower pharmacists to advocate effectively for their worth in the evolving job market.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD
Career Analyst
Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.
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 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for pharmacists 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 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov