US
Fort Smith, AR
Arkansas salary market
$109K
Avg / Year
+4% vs U.S.
vs National
50
Employment
$9.1K
Monthly Avg
Updated for 2026

Security Manager Salary in Fort Smith, AR (2026)

The Security Manager salary in Fort Smith, AR for 2026 is presented as a modeled salary benchmark built from the latest official BLS wage baseline, then extended with wage trend history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available. This guide compares the Fort Smith, AR market with the U.S. baseline and breaks projected pay down by experience, skills, industry, and nearby markets.

Official BLS baseline: 2024Fort Smith, AR city pageModeled salary guide10 min read
City Average
$109K
per year
Entry Level
$66.4K
starting range
Senior Level
$125K
upper local band
Remote / Hybrid
$111K
modeled local premium
Monthly
$9.1K
avg before tax
Hourly Rate
$49
median equivalent
Salary figures projected to 2026  from May 2024BLS OEWS baseline  ·  Projections use wage history, employment outlook, and tech-market signals where available
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Security Manager Salary Overview in Fort Smith, AR

Careerclev's modeled 2026 benchmark places Security Manager pay in Fort Smith, AR at about $108,708 per year. On the latest official BLS baseline for this market, the lower local range starts near $61,790.0, while the strongest-paid professionals can reach about $125,600.

Salary estimates are based on data from the Fort Smith, Ar-Ok metropolitan area.

If you’re comparing Security Manager salaries in Fort Smith, AR, the real story isn’t just the headline number. Local employer mix, seniority, specialization, and whether the role is remote, hybrid, or onsite can push compensation well above or below the local median.

Fort Smith, AR vs. U.S. National Average

Fort Smith, AR pays +4% vs u.s. for Security Manager roles. The difference is driven by local employer demand, industry mix, cost pressures, and how concentrated this role is in the underlying metro labor market.

United States National Average
$105K
all U.S. markets combined
+4%
Fort Smith, AR Premium
Fort Smith, AR City Average
$109K
Security Manager
MarketProjected Salaryvs Fort Smith, ARMarket Maturity
Fort Smith, AR (this guide)$108,708BaselineLocal market
United States$104,690-4% vs U.S.National baseline
Fayetteville, AR$101,370-7% vs U.S.Comparable city
Little Rock, AR$92,480.0-15% vs U.S.Comparable city
Jonesboro, AR$88,710.0-18% vs U.S.Comparable city
Why Fort Smith, AR pay differsThe strongest city salary premiums usually appear where employers compete for specialized talent, where the role is concentrated, and where local costs make compensation harder to hold down.

Security Manager Salary by Experience Level in Fort Smith, AR

Experience changes the local salary picture quickly because employers usually pay for independence, specialization, and broader scope, not just years on paper. In Fort Smith, AR, this breakdown shows how aSecurity Manager can move from early-career pay into stronger bands as the role becomes more self-directed.

Entry-Level
0-2 years
$87.9K
$52/hr median equivalent
$66.4K - $109K
Mid-Level
3-5 years
$109K
$52/hr median equivalent
$87.9K - $125K
Senior
6-10 years
$125K
$52/hr median equivalent
$109K - $135K
Lead / Principal
10+ years
$135K
$52/hr median equivalent
$125K - $165K
LevelExperienceProjected SalaryProjected RangeMarket Signal
Entry-Level Security Manager0-2 years$87,889.0$66,414.0 - $108,708-16% vs U.S.
Mid-Level Security Manager3-5 years$108,708$87,889.0 - $125,228+4% vs U.S.
Senior Security Manager6-10 years$125,228$108,708 - $134,998+20% vs U.S.
Lead / Principal Security Manager10+ years$134,998$125,228 - $164,698+29% vs U.S.
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Best Salary Areas Near Fort Smith, AR

Nearby metro areas help show how Security Manager pay changes around Fort Smith, AR. Each market reflects its own employer mix, local demand, and industry concentration, making these comparisons useful for candidates weighing their location options.

#1
Fort Smith, AR
$109K
avg / year
Salary estimates are based on data from the Fort Smith, Ar-Ok metropolitan area.
This guide
#2
Fayetteville, AR
$101K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Security Manager salaries around Fort Smith, AR.
-7% vs U.S.
#3
Little Rock, AR
$92.5K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Security Manager salaries around Fort Smith, AR.
-15% vs U.S.
#4
Jonesboro, AR
$88.7K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Security Manager salaries around Fort Smith, AR.
-18% vs U.S.
#5
Fayetteville, AR
$97.3K
avg / year
Nearby labor market benchmark for comparing Security Manager salaries around Fort Smith, AR.
-10% vs U.S.

Security Manager Salary by Industry in Fort Smith, AR

Industry premiums in Fort Smith, AR usually come from employers that place the Security Manager role close to revenue, infrastructure, compliance, product delivery, or other high-value work. National industry data gives the best available benchmark until local industry slices are available.

IndustryModeled SalaryReference RangeSignal
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction$158,990$101,700 - $218,270Stronger salary
Utilities$143,970$99,170.0 - $197,090Stronger salary
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services$128,970$75,500.0 - $217,850Stronger salary
Manufacturing$125,640$83,120.0 - $176,710Competitive
Information$125,430$70,770.0 - $222,520Competitive
Management of Companies and Enterprises$122,240$71,260.0 - $209,780Competitive
Transportation and Warehousing$118,710$79,410.0 - $179,060Competitive
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting$111,170$39,490.0 - $185,760Competitive

Entry-Level Security Manager Salary in Fort Smith, AR

Entry-level Security Manager jobs in Fort Smith, AR are modeled around the lower local wage percentiles. Candidates who can show practical projects, job-ready tools, and strong fundamentals usually have a better path into the middle of the local salary range.

For a broader starting-pay benchmark beyond this city market, see the entry-level Security Manager salary guide.

Entry estimateA reasonable entry-level salary benchmark for Security Manager roles in Fort Smith, AR is about $87,889.0.
Preparation pathJob Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed. Typical education: Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. Training signal: Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.

Remote vs Onsite Security Manager Pay in Fort Smith, AR

Remote work can widen the employer pool for Security Manager candidates in Fort Smith, AR. Onsite and hybrid roles may still pay more when employers need local availability, local clients, regulated work, or team coverage.

Local Onsite Role
$108,708
avg local employer
Hybrid Role
$110,882
modeled local premium
+2% local avg
Work TypeEstimated SalaryExperienceBest FitFlexibility
Remote$106,534Market dependentNational hiring poolsHigh
Hybrid$110,882Metro dependentFort Smith, AR employersMedium
Onsite$108,708Location dependentLocal teams and operationsLower

Cost of Living vs Salary in Fort Smith, AR

A salary in Fort Smith, AR should be read alongside housing, commuting, tax, and everyday costs. The same annual pay can feel very different at entry, mid-level, and senior levels.

Monthly Expense
Entry
Mid
Senior
Housing / rent
$1.4K
$2.0K
$2.5K
Transport / commute
$317.1
$362.4
$407.7
Food and groceries
$679.4
$724.7
$815.3
Utilities and internet
$317.1
$362.4
$407.7
Estimated remainder
$3.1K
$4.7K
$5.8K
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Top Employers Hiring Security Managers in Fort Smith, AR

Employer mix is one of the biggest city-level salary drivers. The industries below highlight where Security Manager pay tends to be strongest in Fort Smith, AR, based on the sectors that create the most hiring demand for this role.

1
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction employers
$159K
Industry benchmark for Security Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
2
Utilities employers
$144K
Industry benchmark for Security Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
3
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services employers
$129K
Industry benchmark for Security Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
4
Manufacturing employers
$126K
Industry benchmark for Security Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
5
Information employers
$125K
Industry benchmark for Security Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.
6
Management of Companies and Enterprises employers
$122K
Industry benchmark for Security Manager roles where local employer demand can lift salaries.

Fort Smith, AR Compared With Other U.S. Cities

This comparison is useful when one city salary number is not enough on its own. It shows whetherFort Smith, AR is genuinely a stronger-paying market for Security Manager work or whether the local benchmark sits closer to the broader national middle.

Fort Smith, AR
This guide
$109K
Baseline
Fayetteville, AR
Nearby U.S. market
$101K
-7% vs U.S.
Little Rock, AR
Nearby U.S. market
$92.5K
-15% vs U.S.
Jonesboro, AR
Nearby U.S. market
$88.7K
-18% vs U.S.
Fayetteville, AR
Nearby U.S. market
$97.3K
-10% vs U.S.
Little Rock, AR
Nearby U.S. market
$90.7K
-17% vs U.S.
Jonesboro, AR
Nearby U.S. market
$86.5K
-20% vs U.S.

Career Growth Opportunities in Fort Smith, AR

Local career growth is strongest when it is read through both the city salary ladder and the broader national demand outlook. The city salary benchmark shows what this market currently pays, while the career path and BLS demand data show how that benchmark can expand with scope and responsibility.

1
Intern / Trainee
$60.7K - $81.7K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
2
Junior
$75.4K - $99.5K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
3
Mid Level
$94.2K - $117K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
4
Senior
$113K - $147K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
5
Lead
$134K - $170K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
6
Principal / Architect
$157K - $215K
Progression at this step usually reflects broader ownership, stronger specialization, and higher-value outcomes.
BLS Demand SignalEmployment is projected to change by 3.8% from 2024 to 2034.
About averageAnnual openings: 13.2 thousand.
Metric2026 Outlook
Projected employment151.4k → 157.1k
Typical educationMost of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Related experienceA considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
Local market anchor50 jobs with a median of $108,708

Factors Affecting Security Manager Salary in Fort Smith, AR

Local pay rarely moves for one reason alone. In city markets, the biggest differences usually come from employer concentration, industry mix, seniority, and whether the role is tied to business-critical work that is harder to staff.

Years of Experience
Salary usually rises as the role moves from entry-level execution to independent ownership, mentoring, and broader decision-making.
Location and Cost of Living
Local salary ranges vary by labor market, employer density, and household-income context.
Industry
Industry pay can vary when employers in higher-margin or harder-to-staff sectors compete for the same occupation.
Specialized Skills
O*NET marks high-demand role-specific skills as relevant skills for this role, making them useful anchors for specialization and salary-growth content.

How to Increase Your Security Manager Salary in Fort Smith, AR

In city markets, salary growth often comes from better positioning as much as from patience. These moves are most useful when you already understand the local benchmark and want a clearer path beyond it.

1
Benchmark against stronger markets
Compare national, metro, and industry salary facts before negotiating so your target range is grounded in current wage data.
1-3 months timeline
2
Build a visible specialization
Prioritize skills such as high-demand role-specific skills; O*NET relevance scores make these good first candidates for portfolio and resume positioning.
3-9 months timeline
3
Target higher-paying industries
Use industry salary facts to identify sectors that already pay above the occupation baseline.
2-6 months timeline
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Security Manager Salary in Fort Smith, AR: FAQs

These questions usually come up after readers compare the city benchmark, the statewide picture, and the local experience ladder. They help clarify how to read the market and what matters most when you compare this city with other options.

These FAQs focus on how readers searching for "Security Manager" usually compare local pay, employer mix, and market differences in this city.

What is the average Security Manager in Fort Smith, ARs salary?
The latest national baseline for Security Managers is about $104,700 per year, based on the current BLS-derived salary facts in CareerClev.
What is the entry-level Security Manager in Fort Smith, ARs salary?
Entry-level estimates for Security Managers are modeled around the lower BLS percentile range, currently about $62,600 per year nationally.
How much can senior Security Manager in Fort Smith, ARs professionals earn?
Senior Security Managers estimates are modeled from upper percentile wage bands and currently sit around $135,700 per year nationally.
Does location affect Security Manager in Fort Smith, ARs salary?
Yes. CareerClev stores salary facts by national, state, and metro locations, so location-specific pages should use the closest available geography instead of a single national number.
Which skills matter for Security Manager in Fort Smith, ARs salary growth?
CareerClev uses O*NET skill importance and level scores to identify role-relevant skills. These are useful for recommendations, but should not be presented as measured salary premiums unless enriched compensation data exists.
Data
Data Sources & MethodologyUpdated using 2024 BLS OEWS salary facts, O*NET occupation-skill data, Census location context where available, ILOSTAT country benchmarks where mapped, BLS Employment Projections where imported, and Stack Overflow Developer Survey enrichment for mapped tech roles.
Salary figures use BLS OEWS wage facts for 2024. City pages use the BLS metropolitan area as the salary dataset, display the largest city as the public page name, and model experience bands from local wage percentiles.
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