Lawyer Salary

Fort Smith vs Rogers: Lawyer Salary (2026)

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

Fort Smith, AR
$92,241
$44.35/hr
Rogers, AR
$134,314
$64.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Smith, ARRogers, AR
Median Salary$92,241$134,314
Hourly Rate$44.35$64.58
Entry Level (P10)$48,309$77,902
25th Percentile$64,799$96,706
75th Percentile$117,568$171,923
Top Earner (P90)$165,143$208,188
Total Employed17011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Smith ($92,241) and Rogers ($134,314) lawyer salaries.Fort SmithRogersMedian Salary$92,241$134,314Entry Level (P10)$48,309$77,902Top Earner (P90)$165,143$208,188US Median $167,174

Verdict

Rogers, AR offers better overall compensation for lawyers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Smith.

The salary gap between Fort Smith and Rogers is $42,073 (45.61%). Rogers's median is -19.66% compared to the US national median of $167,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Smith spans $116,834,Rogers spans $130,286. Rogers has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced lawyers.

Fort Smith
P10 (Entry)$48,309
P25$64,799
Median$92,241
P75$117,568
P90 (Top)$165,143
Rogers
P10 (Entry)$77,902
P25$96,706
Median$134,314
P75$171,923
P90 (Top)$208,188

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rogers ($154,562 effective) pays 43.92% more than Fort Smith ($107,397 effective).

Fort Smith
Nominal: $92,241
CoL Index: 85.888
Adjusted: $107,397
Rogers
Nominal: $134,314
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $154,562

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Smith if…

  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Rogers if…

  • Higher median salary ($134,314/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($208,188)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $154,562)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, lawyer salaries in Fort Smith grew 24.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.0% growth in Rogers over the same period.

Fort Smith, AR

+24.5%

$70,770 (2019) → $88,100 (2025)

Rogers, AR

+31.0%

$97,931 (2024) → $128,285 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays lawyers more: Fort Smith or Rogers?

Rogers has a higher median lawyer salary at $134,314/year, compared to Fort Smith at $92,241/year — a difference of $42,073 (45.61%).

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

Fort Smith lawyers earn $44.35/hr while Rogers hygienists earn $64.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Smith to Rogers as a lawyer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Smith and Rogers. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Smith = $107,397, Rogers = $154,562), job availability (170 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level lawyers earn in Fort Smith vs Rogers?

Entry-level (10th percentile) lawyers earn $48,309 in Fort Smith and $77,902 in Rogers. The Rogers area offers higher starting salaries.
AC

Written by Alexandra Chen, JD

Career Analyst

Alexandra has 10 years of experience in corporate law. She specializes in mergers and acquisitions. Alexandra works at a mid-sized law firm in New York City.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Martinez, JDData verified by Priya Patel, JD

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.70% 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 Alexandra Chen, JD, a licensed lawyer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov