Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Correctional Officers and Jailers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $33,790 a year ($16.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,280 for the top 10%. That is 43% lower than the national median of $58,940. Pay here is 16% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $40,330. There are 1.4 correctional officers and jailers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $35,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for correctional officers and jailers in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,790 | $16.25 |
| 25th percentile | $33,790 | $16.25 |
| Median | $33,790 | $16.25 |
| 75th percentile | $38,280 | $18.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,280 | $18.40 |
| Average (mean) | $35,120 | $16.89 |
Half of correctional officers and jailers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,815.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,407.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,299.62 |
| Weekly | $649.81 |
| Hourly | $16.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $33,790 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Correctional Officers and Jailers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,210 | 1,370 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $51,310 | 660 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $49,360 | 880 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $46,710 | 420 |
| Tulsa, OK | $46,220 | 650 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $43,370 | 140 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $41,960 | 610 |
| Lawton, OK | $38,970 | 90 |
| Enid, OK | $37,140 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for correctional officers and jailers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $96,370 |
| New Jersey | $94,770 |
| Massachusetts | $86,310 |
| Oregon | $83,690 |
| Washington | $79,460 |
| Illinois | $79,190 |
| New York | $76,820 |
| Nevada | $76,490 |
| Wisconsin | $73,470 |
| Alaska | $71,360 |
See Correctional Officers and Jailers pay in every state or the Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $51,070 | $24.55 |
| Security Guard | $34,530 | $16.60 |
| Firefighter | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $71,730 | $34.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| School Bus Monitor | $31,950 | $15.36 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $47,710 | $22.94 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $39,610 | $19.05 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $46,380 | $22.30 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a correctional officers and jailers make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for correctional officers and jailers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $33,790 a year, or $16.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid correctional officers and jailers make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of correctional officers and jailers in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $38,280 a year. The top 25% earn $38,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for correctional officers and jailers in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,790 a year, and a quarter of correctional officers and jailers earn $33,790 or less.
How many correctional officers and jailers work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 130 correctional officers and jailers are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.