Highest and lowest paying education jobs in Fort Smith
Written by:
March 6, 2021
Brian S. Hagberg // Wikimedia Commons
Highest and lowest paying education jobs in Fort Smith
Whether you picture hard-working teachers buying school supplies for their students or genius professors shaping future leaders, it’s fair to say education encompasses a wide variety of jobs. So much so that there’s room to specialize and pursue your passion.
Historically, teachers’ pay is a rather contentious topic. The median annual salary across all teaching professions is $57,949—about $3,000 below the median annual salary of all working professionals with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Despite this, many of these jobs are rewarding in more ways than one. In other words, education can be very lucrative—particularly within specialty fields.
Stacker compiled a list of the highest- and lowest-paying education jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by 2019 annual mean wage. Keep reading to discover the highest- and lowest-paying education jobs in your city.
1 / 17
Paul.J.West // Shutterstock
#17. Teaching assistants, except postsecondary
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $21,110
- #350 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 870
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,640
- Employment: 1,346,910
- Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($41,810)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($41,430)
--- New Bedford, MA ($41,360)
- Annual mean salary: $21,110
- #350 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 870
National
- Annual mean salary: $29,640
- Employment: 1,346,910
- Entry level education requirements: Some college, no degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($41,810)
--- Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA ($41,430)
--- New Bedford, MA ($41,360)
2 / 17
Education Images // Getty Images
#16. Substitute teachers, short-term
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $27,190
- #182 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,460
- Employment: 587,120
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salisbury, MD-DE ($58,740)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($53,870)
--- Salinas, CA ($49,790)
- Annual mean salary: $27,190
- #182 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: data not available
National
- Annual mean salary: $32,460
- Employment: 587,120
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salisbury, MD-DE ($58,740)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($53,870)
--- Salinas, CA ($49,790)
3 / 17
CHRISTOF STACHE // Getty Images
#15. Preschool teachers, except special education
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $31,340
- #181 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,650
- Employment: 431,350
- Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($55,430)
--- Laredo, TX ($50,350)
--- Waterbury, CT ($49,840)
- Annual mean salary: $31,340
- #181 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 250
National
- Annual mean salary: $34,650
- Employment: 431,350
- Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Vineland-Bridgeton, NJ ($55,430)
--- Laredo, TX ($50,350)
--- Waterbury, CT ($49,840)
4 / 17
Iam_Anupong // Shutterstock
#14. Kindergarten teachers, except special education
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $46,190
- #233 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $60,210
- Employment: 124,290
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Merced, CA ($97,220)
--- Modesto, CA ($91,230)
--- Kingston, NY ($89,850)
- Annual mean salary: $46,190
- #233 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 160
National
- Annual mean salary: $60,210
- Employment: 124,290
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Merced, CA ($97,220)
--- Modesto, CA ($91,230)
--- Kingston, NY ($89,850)
5 / 17
The Boston Globe // Getty Images
#13. Elementary school teachers, except special education
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $47,580
- #322 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,180
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,930
- Employment: 1,430,480
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kingston, NY ($92,090)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($90,270)
--- Merced, CA ($89,910)
- Annual mean salary: $47,580
- #322 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,180
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,930
- Employment: 1,430,480
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kingston, NY ($92,090)
--- Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA ($90,270)
--- Merced, CA ($89,910)
6 / 17
Photographee.eu // Shutterstock
#12. Special education teachers, secondary school
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $47,650
- #229 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,710
- Employment: 143,170
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($98,500)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($93,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,110)
- Annual mean salary: $47,650
- #229 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,710
- Employment: 143,170
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($98,500)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($93,280)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,110)
7 / 17
industryviews // Shutterstock
#11. Career/technical education teachers, postsecondary
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $48,890
- #176 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $60,420
- Employment: 112,210
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($92,930)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($90,500)
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($89,100)
- Annual mean salary: $48,890
- #176 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110
National
- Annual mean salary: $60,420
- Employment: 112,210
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Salinas, CA ($92,930)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($90,500)
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($89,100)
8 / 17
industryviews // Shutterstock
#10. Career/technical education teachers, secondary school
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $49,630
- #167 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,800
- Employment: 74,520
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($102,780)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,500)
--- New Haven, CT ($85,740)
- Annual mean salary: $49,630
- #167 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,800
- Employment: 74,520
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Fresno, CA ($102,780)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($87,500)
--- New Haven, CT ($85,740)
9 / 17
DGLimages // Shutterstock
#9. Special education teachers, kindergarten and elementary school
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $50,190
- #224 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,420
- Employment: 193,830
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Merced, CA ($93,990)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($92,040)
--- Fresno, CA ($89,480)
- Annual mean salary: $50,190
- #224 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 150
National
- Annual mean salary: $64,420
- Employment: 193,830
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Merced, CA ($93,990)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($92,040)
--- Fresno, CA ($89,480)
10 / 17
Lopolo // Shutterstock
#8. Middle school teachers, except special and career/technical education
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $50,470
- #243 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 680
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,550
- Employment: 622,330
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kingston, NY ($91,610)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($91,350)
--- El Centro, CA ($89,610)
- Annual mean salary: $50,470
- #243 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 680
National
- Annual mean salary: $63,550
- Employment: 622,330
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kingston, NY ($91,610)
--- Bakersfield, CA ($91,350)
--- El Centro, CA ($89,610)
11 / 17
B Brown // Shutterstock
#7. Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $51,600
- #275 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 930
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,930
- Employment: 1,035,850
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bakersfield, CA ($97,680)
--- Fresno, CA ($93,410)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,350)
- Annual mean salary: $51,600
- #275 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 930
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,930
- Employment: 1,035,850
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Bakersfield, CA ($97,680)
--- Fresno, CA ($93,410)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($93,350)
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Canva
#6. Special education teachers, middle school
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $53,170
- #127 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,740
- Employment: 85,840
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Worcester, MA-CT ($86,410)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($85,440)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($85,340)
- Annual mean salary: $53,170
- #127 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $65,740
- Employment: 85,840
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Worcester, MA-CT ($86,410)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($85,440)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($85,340)
13 / 17
Brian S. Hagberg // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Self-enrichment teachers
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $53,930
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $46,120
- Employment: 252,780
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($65,570)
--- Warner Robins, GA ($65,340)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($64,710)
- Annual mean salary: $53,930
- #23 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80
National
- Annual mean salary: $46,120
- Employment: 252,780
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($65,570)
--- Warner Robins, GA ($65,340)
--- Fairbanks, AK ($64,710)
14 / 17
GaudiLab // Shutterstock
#4. Librarians and media collections specialists
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $55,490
- #199 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,920
- Employment: 135,690
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($89,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,390)
--- Merced, CA ($87,800)
- Annual mean salary: $55,490
- #199 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 90
National
- Annual mean salary: $61,920
- Employment: 135,690
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA ($89,880)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($89,390)
--- Merced, CA ($87,800)
15 / 17
Simon Fraser Universtiy // flickr
#3. Instructional coordinators
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $63,810
- #172 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,180
- Employment: 176,690
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Jackson, MI ($117,990)
--- New Haven, CT ($111,750)
--- Warner Robins, GA ($103,980)
- Annual mean salary: $63,810
- #172 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100
National
- Annual mean salary: $69,180
- Employment: 176,690
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Jackson, MI ($117,990)
--- New Haven, CT ($111,750)
--- Warner Robins, GA ($103,980)
16 / 17
Matej Kastelic // Shutterstock
#2. Business teachers, postsecondary
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $65,310
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,440
- Employment: 83,920
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- College Station-Bryan, TX ($177,360)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($154,210)
--- Tuscaloosa, AL ($141,870)
- Annual mean salary: $65,310
- #120 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50
National
- Annual mean salary: $105,440
- Employment: 83,920
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- College Station-Bryan, TX ($177,360)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($154,210)
--- Tuscaloosa, AL ($141,870)
17 / 17
Suzannekweiss // Wikimedia Commons
#1. Nursing instructors and teachers, postsecondary
Fort Smith, AR-OK
- Annual mean salary: $78,430
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,160
- Employment: 59,680
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($120,980)
--- Rochester, NY ($108,480)
--- New Haven, CT ($107,320)
- Annual mean salary: $78,430
- #52 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30
National
- Annual mean salary: $83,160
- Employment: 59,680
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($120,980)
--- Rochester, NY ($108,480)
--- New Haven, CT ($107,320)
