SOC 51-4194 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners — Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR-OK
Median pay for this occupation in Fort Smith, AR is $38,410 a year, trailing the national median of $50,060 by 23.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Fort Smith, AR is $38,410 a year, trailing the national median of $50,060 by 23.3%. Half of workers earn between $34,950 and $38,410. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $30,760 and the ninetieth at $39,370.
The area has 30 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 9.85 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 207th of 302 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,760 | −38.6% |
| 25th | $34,950 | −30.2% |
| Median (50th) | $38,410 | −23.3% |
| 75th | $38,410 | −23.3% |
| 90th | $39,370 | −21.4% |
| Mean | $36,890 | −26.3% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Fort Smith run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $38,410 goes as far as $44,200 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,410as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$44,200US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,410 a year, 23.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,760 to $39,370 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 30 jobs in this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners in Fort Smith, AR?
The median annual wage is $38,410, or $18.47 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $50,060, so pay in Fort Smith, AR is 23.3% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Fort Smith, AR earns more than $39,370 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,760 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 30 jobs in this occupation in Fort Smith, AR. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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