Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Jacksonville, AR: $18.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Jacksonville, AR runs $18.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,954 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Jacksonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,371 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Jacksonville, Arkansas, the projected median hourly pay for medical assistants in 2026 stands at $18.73, significantly lower than the national median of $23.06. This rate reflects not only the local economic conditions but also the nuances of the healthcare market. For those seeking part-time opportunities, such as working three days a week, the pay translates to a livable wage, especially in settings such as primary care exam rooms, urgent care clinics, and hospitals. The hourly pay range in Jacksonville is broad, with entry-level medical assistants earning around $15.25 per hour and experienced professionals potentially reaching up to $23.77 per hour. These estimates are derived from annual salary projections, allowing potential workers to gauge their earning prospects based on existing market trends.
About the Jacksonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($33,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.25 | $122.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.88 | $127.06 |
| Median (P50) | $18.73 | $149.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.05 | $160.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.77 | $190.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jacksonville
Based on $18.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.73/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jacksonville, AR can expect to earn approximately $38,951 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,472. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jacksonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jacksonville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $749.07 | $3,246 | $38,951 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $449.44 | $1,948 | $23,371 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $299.63 | $1,298 | $15,581 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Jacksonville) | $18.73 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
Medical Assistants in Jacksonville, AR earn a median of $38,954 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.78% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 0.70% below the Arkansas state average of $39,229.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.73/hr = $23,371/year (purchasing power: $26,894).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,951/year (purchasing power: $44,823).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $13.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.66/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Jacksonville grew 31.3% from $13.59/hr (2019) to $17.84/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.66/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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 4.97% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Medical Assistant in Jacksonville
Turning to per-diem roles, medical assistants in Jacksonville can expect different earning dynamics compared to traditional hourly positions. A medical assistant working three days a week may net varying amounts annually depending on hours worked, which differ significantly from full-time positions. Per-diem medical assistants often command rates of $20-$30 per hour, with specialty practices such as dermatology offering even higher pay, often between $25 and $38 per hour. Furthermore, urgent care settings may provide stipends for 12-hour shifts that add between $50-$150 on top of base hourly pay. The hourly rates can fluctuate based on whether the employer is a primary care office, an urgent care chain, or a specialty clinic. Some medical assistants opt for roles with slightly lower hourly pay in exchange for health benefits, balancing immediate income with long-term financial security. For those looking to negotiate pay in Jacksonville, highlighting certification from recognized bodies such as AAMA or AMT can be advantageous, as employers value qualified candidates ready to step into growing roles in this essential field.
More salary data for Jacksonville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for medical assistants in Jacksonville in 2026?
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Related Pages
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Written by Emma Chen, CMA
Career Analyst
Emma has over 8 years of experience as a medical assistant. She has worked in both outpatient clinics and hospitals. Her expertise includes patient care and administrative support.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical assistants in Jacksonville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Jacksonville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.97%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for medical assistants (SOC 31-9092).
Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov