Dialysis Technician Salary in Fort Smith, AR: $34,543 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dialysis technician in Fort Smith, AR earns a median $34,543/year (≈ $16.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2099). Once you factor in Fort Smith's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $40,219 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.5% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, AR, dialysis technicians earn a projected median annual salary of $34,543 in 2026, reflecting the increasing demand for skilled professionals amid a growing trend toward home dialysis training roles. The range for this occupation spans from $33,183 at the 10th percentile to $52,063 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse market where experience and specialization can significantly impact earnings. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlight how Fort Smith's compensation structure stands in comparison to the national landscape, where the median salary for similar positions reaches $45,322 annually. This reveals a notable gap, suggesting that local professionals may pursue further training or specialization to enhance their earning potential in a competitive job environment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,183 | $15.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,129 | $16.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $34,543 | $16.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42,366 | $20.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,063 | $25.03 |
Median Salary Position
23.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Smith
In Fort Smith, AR, the dialysis technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,880 (2026 est.). At $34,543, the local median is 23.78% below the national median of $45,322.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Smith: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Fort Smith Dialysis Technician Pay Compares
Fort Smith median: $34,543/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Smith Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $40,879 | -15.50% less |
| National Average | $45,322 | -23.78% less |
Dialysis Technicians in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $34,543 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.78% lower than the national median of $45,322 and 15.50% below the Arkansas state average of $40,879.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Smith has a cost of living 14.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Smith, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.888 (below the national average of 100). A dialysis technician earning $34,543 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $40,219 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.43% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$29,010
2025 BLS Actual
$33,730
2026 Current Est.
$34,543
2021–2027 Growth
+21.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dialysis Technicians in Fort Smith (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.41% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,280 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,664 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,543 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,375 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Smith metropolitan area, the median dialysis technician salary grew 16.3% from $29,010 (2021) to $33,730 (2025). At a 2.41% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $35,375 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,365 (21.94%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Smith metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.41% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $33,183 – $34,129 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,129 – $34,543 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $34,543 – $42,366 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $42,366 – $52,063 |
DT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dialysis technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dialysis Technician Job Market in Fort Smith
The job market for dialysis technicians in Fort Smith is robust, with 180 professionals currently employed in various settings, including outpatient businesses such as Fresenius and DaVita, which dominate the market. The cost of living index in Fort Smith sits at 85.888, indicating a lower living expense compared to the national average, thereby improving take-home purchasing power for technicians. Employers in the area vary in compensation; outpatient dialysis providers typically offer the most favorable wages among local health systems, and opportunities for career advancement can further affect pay scales. Factors such as shift differentials for early morning and evening shifts, premiums for home dialysis training roles, and extra pay for acquiring cross-training in biomedical equipment can lead to wage discrepancies in this field. For those looking to maximize their dialysis technician pay in Fort Smith, seeking out training opportunities and considering positions that offer such incentives could provide significant financial benefits in a market where both experience and specialization are key drivers of income.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, CCRN
Career Analyst
Jessica has over 10 years as a dialysis technician. She specializes in chronic kidney disease management. She works at a community hospital.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $33,730 for dialysis techniciansin the Fort Smith metropolitan area. A 2.41% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.41%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dialysis technicians (SOC 29-2099).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, CCRN, a licensed dialysis technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov