Inground pool cost in Fort Smith, AR
Local estimate from BLS wage data and BEA price levels. Reviewed Nov 4, 2026.
- Typical range (450 sq ft)
- $30,800 – $96,200
- Per sq ft
- $68 – $213
- before permit
- Versus US midpoint
- −15%
- US $74,500
- Rank of 300 metros
- #294
- 1 = most expensive
An inground pool in Fort Smith, AR usually costs $30,800 to $96,200 for 450 sq ft. That works out to about $68 to $213 per sq ft before permits. Compared with the national midpoint that is $11,000 less. Construction laborers earn a median of $17.77 an hour in the Fort Smith area, 22% below the US median of $22.66.
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Estimated cost for 450 sq ft in Fort Smith, AR, standard level
$50,400 to $76,600
About $112 to $170 per sq ft before permits. Labor is about 47% of the bill.
| Part | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Materials | $26,400 | $40,200 |
| Labor | $23,900 | $36,200 |
| Permits and fees | $140 | $210 |
| Total | $50,400 | $76,600 |
Cost breakdown for 450 sq ft in Fort Smith, AR
| Part of the job | Low | Midpoint | High | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Materials | $16,000 | $33,300 | $50,500 | 52% |
| Labor | $14,700 | $30,000 | $45,400 | 47% |
| Permits and fees | $85 | $170 | $260 | 0% |
| Total | $30,800 | $63,500 | $96,200 | 100% |
What is behind the Fort Smith number
We price the labor side from BLS wage data for 4 trades: construction laborers at 40%, operating engineers and other construction equipment operators at 30%, brickmasons and blockmasons at 20%, plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters at 10%. Weighted together, Fort Smith wages are 0.78 times the national level. Labor makes up about 47% of the midpoint estimate (52% at national prices).
Materials are scaled with BEA's regional price parity for goods. Fort Smith is at 93.6 against 100 for the US, so a materials line of $35,600 nationally becomes $33,300 here (midpoint, 450 sq ft). Permits follow the all-items index of 85.9: $85 to $260.
Data note: 20% of the labor weighting for this project uses a statewide median because BLS has no published metro figure for that trade in Fort Smith. The wage table below marks each row.
Specs and site conditions that change a Fort Smith bid
Pool type
Vinyl pools are $25,000-$65,000, fiberglass $45,000-$100,000, and concrete or gunite $50,000-$120,000 (HomeGuide).
Maintenance
Pool maintenance is $80-$150 a month; concrete pools also need an acid wash every 3-5 years at $300-$1,000.
Permit
A building permit for a pool is $100-$300 and contractors often include it. Many cities add plumbing and electrical permits.
Fort Smith weather and the inground pool calendar
Climate numbers on this page come from NOAA's 1991-2020 U.S. Climate Normals at the nearest suitable station, Ft Smith Rgnl Ap (in the city). They are 30-year averages, so any one year can run hotter, colder or wetter.
For pouring concrete, the comfortable months in Fort Smith are March through June and September through October: 6 of 12. Outside them, January, February, November and December have an average overnight low of 40°F or below, and July and August have an average daytime high of 90°F or more.
The 40°F line is a deliberately cautious stand-in. The American Concrete Institute's cold-weather guide (ACI 306R-16) defines cold-weather concreting around an average daily air temperature below 40°F, which is colder than our test of an average overnight low at or below 40°F, so we flag a few extra shoulder months. In cold weather crews may need heated enclosures, insulating blankets or accelerated mixes, and those measures can raise a quote.
Heat matters for concrete as well. With average highs of 90°F or more in July and August, crews often start early, wet the base and plan for faster set times.
Fort Smith gets about 47 inches of precipitation in a normal year, including roughly 3 inches of snow. The wettest months are April, May and June (5.6 inches in May). Inside the workable window, March and September are the driest, at 3.9 and 4.0 inches. The station averages about 78 days a year at 90°F or above.
We do not adjust the estimate by month, because we have no reliable published data on seasonal pricing. It is still worth asking contractors whether an off-peak start date changes their bid.
| Month | Avg high °F | Avg low °F | Precip (in) | For this job |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 51 | 30 | 2.9 | Cold |
| Feb | 57 | 33 | 2.7 | Cold |
| Mar | 66 | 42 | 3.9 | Workable |
| Apr | 75 | 50 | 4.9 | Workable |
| May | 81 | 60 | 5.6 | Workable |
| Jun | 89 | 68 | 4.6 | Workable |
| Jul | 94 | 72 | 3.4 | Hot |
| Aug | 94 | 71 | 3.6 | Hot |
| Sep | 87 | 63 | 4.0 | Workable |
| Oct | 76 | 51 | 4.4 | Workable |
| Nov | 63 | 40 | 3.9 | Cold |
| Dec | 53 | 32 | 3.5 | Cold |
How Fort Smith compares
Same job, same size (450 sq ft), priced for the nearest metros. Joplin is the priciest of the group at $73,300.
| Area | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith, ARthis page | $30,800 – $96,200 | $63,500 | |
| Fayetteville, AR50 miles | $32,300 – $101,000 | $66,700 | +5% |
| Tulsa, OK110 miles | $32,900 – $103,000 | $67,900 | +7% |
| Joplin, MO115 miles | $35,500 – $111,000 | $73,300 | +15% |
| Little Rock, AR125 miles | $31,500 – $98,400 | $64,900 | +2% |
| Texarkana, TX135 miles | $31,200 – $97,700 | $64,500 | +2% |
| Arkansas (statewide) | $31,100 – $97,400 | $64,300 | +1% |
| United States | $36,100 – $113,000 | $74,500 | +17% |
Out of the 300 metros we cover, Fort Smith ranks #294 for the cost of this job (#1 is the most expensive). Statewide, Fort Smith is 1% below the Arkansas figure.
Elsewhere in Arkansas
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock, AR | 358,210 jobs | $31,500 – $98,400 | $64,900 | +2% |
| Fayetteville, AR | 275,180 jobs | $32,300 – $101,000 | $66,700 | +5% |
| Jonesboro, AR | 60,620 jobs | $30,900 – $96,500 | $63,700 | level |
Metros of a similar size
Big cities and small ones price differently, so here is Fort Smith against the 4 metros with the closest total employment.
| Metro | Size | Range | Midpoint | vs. here |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, GA | 95,800 jobs | $31,500 – $98,500 | $65,000 | +2% |
| Macon, GA | 95,030 jobs | $31,900 – $99,600 | $65,700 | +4% |
| Yakima, WA | 97,010 jobs | $39,600 – $123,500 | $81,500 | +28% |
| Barnstable, MA | 94,110 jobs | $41,300 – $129,000 | $85,000 | +34% |
Pick a size, pick a tier: inground pool pricing in Fort Smith
The cited range is split into basic, standard and premium bands, then scaled to Fort Smith. Bands overlap, because plenty of standard jobs cost as much as a light premium one. Sizes run from small pool (400 sq ft) to large (800 sq ft).
Basic
$30,800 to $57,000
Vinyl-liner pool, small size
Standard
$50,400 to $76,600
Fiberglass pool, standard size
Premium
$70,000 to $96,200
Concrete or gunite, large with custom features
| Size | Basic | Standard | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| small pool (400 sq ft) | $27,400 – $50,600 | $44,800 – $68,100 | $62,300 – $85,600 |
| average (512 sq ft) | $35,000 – $64,800 | $57,300 – $87,100 | $79,700 – $109,500 |
| large (800 sq ft) | $54,600 – $101,000 | $89,500 – $136,000 | $124,500 – $171,000 |
What local crews earn in Fort Smith
The labor line is built from BLS wage data, one trade at a time. This job draws on 4 trades. We compare each trade's local median with the US median, weight the ratios by how much of the job each trade does, and apply the blend to the national labor cost. For Fort Smith the blend is 0.78.
For construction laborers (47-2061, weighted 40%) the local median is $17.77 an hour, which is 22% below the national $22.66. The middle half of them earn between $16.31 and $21.83 an hour. BLS counts 670 of them working in the area, 70.1 for every 10,000 jobs (US: 70.5), so the local bench is about average.
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073), 30% of the weighting: a median of $20.11 an hour, 30% below the US median of $28.78. The middle half of them earn between $18.15 and $21.12 an hour. About 440 work in the metro. That is 46.0 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.7 nationally, which suggests plenty of local crews to bid.
Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) carry 20% of the labor weighting. BLS does not publish this trade for the Fort Smith metro, so we used the Arkansas statewide median: $26.49 an hour against $29.87 for the US. The middle half of them earn between $22.14 and $28.69 an hour.
Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152), 10% of the weighting: a median of $23.24 an hour, 24% below the US median of $30.67. The middle half of them earn between $18.23 and $28.84 an hour. About 250 work in the metro. That is 26.2 per 10,000 jobs, compared with 30.0 nationally, so the supply of crews looks typical.
A quick sensitivity check: moving the lead trade (construction laborers) from the median to the 75th percentile wage adds about $2,750 to the midpoint estimate; the 25th percentile takes off about $1,000. That is a swing of roughly 1.6% to 4.4% of the total, which is useful for judging whether a bid reflects wages or something else, such as scope or margin.
Fort Smith has 95,560 jobs in total (BLS, May 2025), ranking 210th by size among the 300 metros on this site.
| Trade | Weight | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | US median | Ratio | Level used |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Construction laborers (47-2061) | 40% | $16.31 | $17.77 | $21.83 | $22.66 | 0.78 | metro |
| Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators (47-2073) | 30% | $18.15 | $20.11 | $21.12 | $28.78 | 0.70 | metro |
| Brickmasons and blockmasons (47-2021) | 20% | $22.14 | $26.49 | $28.69 | $29.87 | 0.89 | state |
| Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters (47-2152) | 10% | $18.23 | $23.24 | $28.84 | $30.67 | 0.76 | metro |
| Blended | 100% | 0.78 | |||||
What nearby projects cost in Fort Smith
Jobs that often go together with inground pool are priced below at their usual sizes, using the same Fort Smith wage and price inputs. Compared with national midpoints, retaining wall comes out highest (−12%) and concrete patio lowest (−18%); the gap comes from the trades each job uses.
| Project | Size | Range | vs. US |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum fence | 150 linear ft | $3,250 – $9,950 | −13% |
| Paver patio | 300 sq ft | $2,650 – $4,750 | −13% |
| Concrete patio | 300 sq ft | $1,050 – $3,200 | −18% |
| Wood deck | 300 sq ft | $6,350 – $12,700 | −16% |
| French drain | 60 linear ft | $510 – $1,750 | −16% |
| Retaining wall | 200 sq ft of wall face | $6,100 – $11,900 | −12% |
Get 3 local quotes
Tell us about the job and we will try to connect you with up to three local contractors for written quotes. It is free and you are under no obligation to hire. Your estimate of $50,400 to $76,600 for Fort Smith, AR is attached.
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Inground pool in Fort Smith: your questions
+How much does it cost to install an inground pool in Fort Smith?
For 450 sq ft, expect $30,800 to $96,200 in the Fort Smith area. A standard-spec job lands at $50,400 to $76,600. Small jobs usually cost more per sq ft and large ones less.
+What is the price per sq ft for inground pool in Fort Smith?
About $68 to $213 per sq ft for materials and labor, plus $85 to $260 for the permit if one is needed. The US range is $80 to $250.
+Is inground pool cheaper in Fort Smith or Fayetteville?
Fayetteville is 50 miles away. The midpoint for 450 sq ft there is $66,700, which is 5% more than Fort Smith ($63,500). Wage and materials indexes both feed that gap.
+How much of the bill is labor in Fort Smith?
About 47% at the midpoint, or $30,000 out of $63,500. Materials are 52% and permits 0%. Nationally, labor is 52%.
+What would average (512 sq ft) cost in Fort Smith?
$35,000 to $109,500. Pick a different size in the estimator above to get your own number.
+Does inground pool need a permit in Fort Smith?
Often, but rules are set by your city or county building office, so call before you hire. Budget $85 to $260 for fees in the Fort Smith area (our national range of $100 to $300 scaled by the local price level).
+Is Fort Smith expensive for inground pool compared with the rest of Arkansas?
Fort Smith is 1% below the Arkansas statewide estimate ($64,300 at the midpoint). We cover 4 metros in Arkansas; see the state page to compare them.
+What do construction laborers earn in Fort Smith?
The BLS median is $17.77 an hour in the Fort Smith area, compared with $22.66 nationally. The 25th to 75th percentile range is $16.31 to $21.83.
+What do basic and premium inground pool work cost in Fort Smith?
For 450 sq ft, basic work runs $30,800 to $57,000 and premium work $70,000 to $96,200. Basic means: vinyl-liner pool, small size. Premium means: concrete or gunite, large with custom features.
+When is the best time to install an inground pool in Fort Smith?
Based on NOAA 1991-2020 normals, the comfortable months for this kind of work are March through June and September through October. March and September are typically the driest of those months. Local contractors' schedules matter as much as the weather, so book early for the busy months.
Inground pool near Fort Smith
Where these numbers come from
Base prices are national ranges from the sources below. We scale labor by local BLS wages, materials by BEA goods prices and permits by the BEA all-items price level. Full method on the methodology page.
- HomeGuide: How Much Does An Inground Pool Cost? (2026) (accessed November 4, 2026)
- Cost to Renovate: Renovation Labor Report 2026: Where the Money Goes (accessed November 4, 2026)
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991-2020
Note on derived figures: Materials = 48% of the installed price, from Cost to Renovate's mid-range 'Outdoor Living' category split. It is a category average, not a pool-specific one, so read the pool materials line loosely.