Electrician Salary

Fort Smith vs Searcy: Electrician Salary (2026)

Compare electrician salaries between Fort Smith, AR and Searcy, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Smith, AR
$53,613
$25.78/hr
Searcy, AR
$47,388
$22.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Smith, ARSearcy, AR
Median Salary$53,613$47,388
Hourly Rate$25.78$22.78
Entry Level (P10)$34,486$33,221
25th Percentile$40,552$37,288
75th Percentile$65,898$59,922
Top Earner (P90)$75,436$73,451
Total Employed3705
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Smith ($53,613) and Searcy ($47,388) electrician salaries.Fort SmithSearcyMedian Salary$53,613$47,388Entry Level (P10)$34,486$33,221Top Earner (P90)$75,436$73,451US Median $64,530

Verdict

Fort Smith, AR offers better overall compensation for electricians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Searcy.

The salary gap between Fort Smith and Searcy is $6,225 (13.14%). Fort Smith's median is -16.92% compared to the US national median of $64,530.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Smith spans $40,950,Searcy spans $40,230. Fort Smith has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Smith
P10 (Entry)$34,486
P25$40,552
Median$53,613
P75$65,898
P90 (Top)$75,436
Searcy
P10 (Entry)$33,221
P25$37,288
Median$47,388
P75$59,922
P90 (Top)$73,451

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Smith ($62,422 effective) pays 14.47% more than Searcy ($54,532 effective).

Fort Smith
Nominal: $53,613
CoL Index: 85.888
Adjusted: $62,422
Searcy
Nominal: $47,388
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $54,532

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Smith if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,613/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,436)
  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,422)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Searcy if…

  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrician salaries in Fort Smith grew 15.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.0% growth in Searcy over the same period.

Fort Smith, AR

+15.9%

$45,300 (2019) → $52,500 (2025)

Searcy, AR

+10.0%

$42,195 (2024) → $46,404 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electricians more: Fort Smith or Searcy?

Fort Smith has a higher median electrician salary at $53,613/year, compared to Searcy at $47,388/year — a difference of $6,225 (13.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Smith and Searcy?

Fort Smith electricians earn $25.78/hr while Searcy hygienists earn $22.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Smith to Searcy as a electrician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Smith and Searcy. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Smith = $62,422, Searcy = $54,532), job availability (370 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electricians earn in Fort Smith vs Searcy?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electricians earn $34,486 in Fort Smith and $33,221 in Searcy. The Fort Smith area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Samuel Carter, Career Analyst

Career Analyst

Samuel Carter has over 10 years of experience as an electrician. His focus includes residential wiring and safety standards. He has worked in various construction firms.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.12% 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 Samuel Carter, Career Analyst, a licensed electrician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov