AR · Fort Smith · Updated October 15, 2026

Medical Coder jobs in Fort Smith, AR

The median medical coder pay in the Fort Smith area is $17.66 per hour ($36,730 a year), with the typical range running from $16.59 to $24.04. That ranks 357th of 369 U.S. metro areas for medical coder pay, and 307th of 328 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Fort Smith. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Fort Smith.

Medical Coder pay in Fort Smith, AR

The metro median is 8% below the Arkansas statewide median of $19.19 per hour. Nationally the median is $24.16 per hour. BLS counts about 80 medical records specialists employed in the Fort Smith metro area, 0.9 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.71).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$14.88$30,95038% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$16.59$34,51031% below U.S. median
Median$17.66$36,73027% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$24.04$50,000in line with U.S. median
Top 10%$38.15$79,35058% above U.S. median

How Fort Smith ranks

  • 357th of 369 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 307th of 328 after adjusting for local prices
  • 5th of 5 Arkansas metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Medical Records Specialists (SOC 29-2072), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Fort Smith

  • Overall prices in Fort Smith run 14% below the U.S. average (index 85.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 47% below the U.S. average (index 53.4).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $17.66 median hour buys what $20.56 buys at the national price level, 15% below the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Get the Fort Smith Medical Coder pay report

Named employers near Fort Smith, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Fort Smith paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$636
  • Per year: $31,788
  • Per month: $2,649

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Fort Smith metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Open Medical Coder roles in Arkansas

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Fort Smith as they open.

PermanentPosted yesterday

Coder

CommonSpirit Health · Little Rock, AR

$21.85–$30.87/ hour
  • Full time
  • Req 101963643296
New this week
View role

All Medical Coder jobs in Arkansas

Medical Coder salary in Arkansas

Hospitals in Fort Smith

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Fort Smith.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Mercy Hospital Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Baptist Health - Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR
Acute careNonprofit2 of 5Yes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Medical Coder pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Fayetteville, AR51 mi$19.55/hr103,134
Springdale, AR59 mi$19.55/hr89,368
Rogers, AR68 mi$19.55/hr75,639
Bentonville, AR70 mi$19.55/hr61,791
Broken Arrow, OK92 mi$23.69/hr122,756
Tulsa, OK101 mi$23.69/hr415,154

Medical Coder jobs in Arkansas · Medical Coder jobs nationwide

What employers ask for, and tax basics in Arkansas

Medical coders translate diagnoses and procedures into billing and reporting codes.

  • CPC, CCS or equivalent coding credential
  • Knowledge of ICD-10-CM, CPT and HCPCS
  • Experience with encoder and EHR systems

Arkansas taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Arkansas state guide

Other healthcare roles in Fort Smith

Fort Smith city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do medical coders make in Fort Smith, AR?

Medical Coders in the Fort Smith metro area have a median pay of $17.66 per hour, about $36,730 a year. The middle half earn between $16.59 and $24.04 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Fort Smith a good place for medical coders once cost of living is counted?

Fort Smith ranks 307th of 328 metro areas for medical coder pay after adjusting for local prices, and 357th of 369 before adjusting. Overall prices run 14% below the U.S. average.

Where do medical coders work in Fort Smith?

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Fort Smith, led by Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Arkansas license to work in Fort Smith as a medical coder?

CPC, CCS or equivalent coding credential. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Arkansas requires for your role with the Arkansas licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Does Valorem Health place medical coders in Fort Smith?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Fort Smith and across Arkansas. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Fort Smith.

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What do employers near Fort Smith pay medical coders? Get the report.

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Pay report · Coder near Fort Smith, AR
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Coder pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Arkansas list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • CommonSpirit HealthCentennial, CO · 3 postings$34.69/ hr$26–$44
  • Banner HealthArizona, AZ · 3 postings$31.92/ hr$26–$44
  • Avera HealthSioux Falls, SD · 3 postings$31.75/ hr$24–$46
  • Sarah Bush Lincoln Health SystemIllinois · 4 postings$28.97/ hr$23–$37

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Arkansas list

2What they are offering now

Low$23Median$31.56High$42

53 Coder postings with published pay in the US, 44 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 1 Coder roles

  1. CoderPermanent
    $21.85–$30.87/ hour
    CommonSpirit Health · Little Rock, AR · posted yesterday

Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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