UX Designer Salary

Fort Smith vs Springdale: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Fort Smith, AR and Springdale, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Smith, AR
$54,963
$26.43/hr
Springdale, AR
$46,900
$22.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Smith, ARSpringdale, AR
Median Salary$54,963$46,900
Hourly Rate$26.43$22.55
Entry Level (P10)$31,878$27,202
25th Percentile$39,574$33,768
75th Percentile$70,353$60,033
Top Earner (P90)$85,193$72,695
Total Employed1514
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Smith ($54,963) and Springdale ($46,900) ux designer salaries.Fort SmithSpringdaleMedian Salary$54,963$46,900Entry Level (P10)$31,878$27,202Top Earner (P90)$85,193$72,695US Median $83,320

Verdict

Fort Smith, AR offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Springdale.

The salary gap between Fort Smith and Springdale is $8,063 (17.19%). Fort Smith's median is -34.03% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Smith spans $53,315,Springdale spans $45,493. Fort Smith has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Smith
P10 (Entry)$31,878
P25$39,574
Median$54,963
P75$70,353
P90 (Top)$85,193
Springdale
P10 (Entry)$27,202
P25$33,768
Median$46,900
P75$60,033
P90 (Top)$72,695

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Smith ($63,249 effective) pays 17.19% more than Springdale ($53,970 effective).

Fort Smith
Nominal: $54,963
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $63,249
Springdale
Nominal: $46,900
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $53,970

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 ($54,963/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,193)
  • Larger job market (15 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,249)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Springdale if…

  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Fort Smith grew 69.3% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -32.7% growth in Springdale over the same period.

Fort Smith, AR

+69.3%

$30,400 (2021) → $51,454 (2025)

Springdale, AR

+-32.7%

$65,270 (2024) → $43,906 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Fort Smith or Springdale?

Fort Smith has a higher median ux designer salary at $54,963/year, compared to Springdale at $46,900/year — a difference of $8,063 (17.19%).

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

Fort Smith ux designers earn $26.43/hr while Springdale hygienists earn $22.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Smith to Springdale as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Smith and Springdale. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Smith = $63,249, Springdale = $53,970), job availability (15 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Fort Smith vs Springdale?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $31,878 in Fort Smith and $27,202 in Springdale. The Fort Smith area offers higher starting salaries.
MC

Written by Maria Chen, MDes

Content Lead

Maria has over 10 years of experience in user experience design. She specializes in usability testing and user research. Maria has worked with tech companies and startups.

Clinically reviewed by Ismail Khan, BA, UXDData verified by Aisha Patel, MS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.82% 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 Maria Chen, MDes, a licensed ux designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov