Fort Smith vs Little Rock: Pharmacist Salary (2026)
Compare pharmacist salaries between Fort Smith, AR and Little Rock, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Fort Smith, AR | Little Rock, AR |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $135,963 | $139,202▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $65.36 | $66.92▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $123,988▲ | $95,842 |
| 25th Percentile | $130,770 | $135,088▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $153,998 | $157,368▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $168,396 | $169,618▲ |
| Total Employed | 160 | 1,020▲ |
Verdict
Little Rock, AR offers better overall compensation for pharmacists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Smith.
The salary gap between Fort Smith and Little Rock is $3,239 (2.38%). Little Rock's median is -2.99% compared to the US national median of $143,489.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Smith spans $44,408,Little Rock spans $73,776. Little Rock has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced pharmacists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Smith ($158,303 effective) pays 1.63% more than Little Rock ($155,770 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Fort Smith if…
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $158,303)
- ✓You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle
Choose Little Rock if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($139,202/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($169,618)
- ✓Larger job market (1,020 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, pharmacist salaries in Fort Smith grew 4.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.0% growth in Little Rock over the same period.
Fort Smith, AR
$128,290 (2019) → $133,520 (2025)
Little Rock, AR
$118,850 (2019) → $136,700 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Fort Smith, AR
Little Rock, 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
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 1.83% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov