Medical Assistant Salary in Bentonville, AR: $38,763 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Bentonville, AR earns a median $38,763/year (≈ $18.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Bentonville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $44,606 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bentonville, Arkansas, medical assistants can anticipate a median annual salary of $38,763 in 2026, which reflects the unique economic dynamics of the area. Salary estimates for this role vary widely, with figures ranging from $29,044 at the 10th percentile to $48,628 at the 90th percentile. These numbers are influenced by local cost adjustments and employment trends in healthcare, especially within a market that increasingly values bilingual candidates. Given Bentonville's emerging status as a healthcare hub, professionals who can communicate in both English and Spanish, or other languages, may find themselves at a competitive advantage in this evolving landscape.
About the Bentonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($33,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,044 | $13.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,518 | $16.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,763 | $18.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,000 | $19.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48,628 | $23.38 |
Median Salary Position
19.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bentonville
In Bentonville, AR, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,584 (2026 est.). At $38,763, the local median is 19.18% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bentonville: You'd be above the median
How Bentonville Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Bentonville median: $38,763/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bentonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $39,234 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $47,961 | -19.18% less |
Medical Assistants in Bentonville, AR earn a median of $38,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.18% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 1.20% below the Arkansas state average of $39,234.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bentonville has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bentonville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $38,763 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,606 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,126
2025 BLS Actual
$36,928
2026 Current Est.
$38,763
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Bentonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,126 | Actual |
| 2020 | $28,975 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,058 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,931 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,946 | Actual |
| 2024 | $28,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,928 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,763 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,690 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bentonville metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.3% from $28,126 (2019) to $36,928 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,690 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,564 (44.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bentonville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $29,044 – $33,518 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,518 – $38,763 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,763 – $41,000 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,000 – $48,628 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Bentonville
The job market for medical assistants in Bentonville currently employs 12 individuals, indicating a growing demand for this occupation, despite a cost-of-living index of 86.9, which falls below the national average. This lower cost of living helps augment take-home pay, allowing medical assistants to stretch their salaries further. Notably, employers in specialty practices, such as dermatology and orthopedics, tend to offer the highest compensation, often significantly outperforming primary care settings. Factors such as specialty premiums, bilingual capabilities, and additional certifications like phlebotomy can also enhance earning potential. For those looking to maximize their medical assistant pay in Bentonville AR, targeting higher-paying employers and pursuing certification through recognized bodies like AAMA or AMT can be beneficial strategies.
More salary data for Bentonville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $36,928 for medical assistantsin the Bentonville metropolitan area. A 4.97% 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
Salary data for Bentonville 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