Fort Smith, AR-OK · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK

In the Fort Smith, AR-OK metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $24,400 ($11.73/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $22,800/year and the 90th was $43,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Arkansas tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $21,275 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 85.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$24,400$11.73 per hour · $2,033 monthly
10th Percentile$22,800$10.96/hr base
25th Percentile$23,100$11.11/hr base
75th Percentile$30,100$14.47/hr base
90th Percentile$43,300$20.82/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$24,400
$15,000$50,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$24,400
Net 87%
Fed 3%
AR 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$21,275After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,773Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$818Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate12.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$830 / yr
Arkansas state income tax$429 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$1,867 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses Wage Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR-OK

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Waiters and Waitresses in the Fort Smith, AR-OK Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AR)
10th Percentile$10.96/hr$1,900$22,800$20,012
25th Percentile$11.11/hr$1,925$23,100$20,248
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$11.73/hr$2,033$24,400$21,275
75th Percentile$14.47/hr$2,508$30,100$25,737
90th Percentile$20.82/hr$3,608$43,300$35,828

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Fort Smith, AR-OK

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$24,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$58,468Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index85.914.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio41.7%of area median income

Compare waiters or waitresses salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Arkansas:

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Fort Smith, AR-OK

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $24,400, which equates to approximately $2,033 per month or $11.73 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $11.73 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.96/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.82/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Fort Smith, AR-OK span from $22,800 at the 10th percentile to $23,100 at the 25th, $30,100 at the 75th, and $43,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

On a median gross salary of $24,400, an estimated $21,275 lands in net take-home pay per year ($818 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Arkansas in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,125 (an effective rate of 12.8%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

On the median annual salary of $24,400, gross monthly income is $2,033. After federal, FICA, and Arkansas state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,773 per month (or $818 every two weeks).

Is $24,400 a good salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK?

At $24,400, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 41.7% of the Fort Smith, AR-OK median household income ($58,468). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 85.9, making regional consumer goods and services 14.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.