Medical Assistant Salary in Fort Smith, AR: $39,238 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Fort Smith, AR earns a median $39,238/year (≈ $18.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Fort Smith's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $45,685 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, AR, medical assistants can expect a median annual salary of $39,238 in 2026, reflecting a notable disparity when compared to the national median of $47,961. The salary range for this role spans from $34,231 at the lower end (P10) to $45,683 at the higher end (P90). These statistics are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected for 2026. The presence of diverse healthcare facilities in this market, including bilingual positions, can influence earnings. As demand for multilingual medical assistants grows, those who are proficient in languages such as Spanish or Mandarin may see increased compensation, helping to elevate the overall earning potential in this job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,231 | $16.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,666 | $17.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,238 | $18.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41,967 | $20.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45,683 | $21.96 |
Median Salary Position
18.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Smith
In Fort Smith, AR, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,452 (2026 est.). At $39,238, the local median is 18.19% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Smith: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Smith Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Fort Smith median: $39,238/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Smith Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $47,961 | -18.19% less |
Medical Assistants in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $39,238 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.19% lower than the national median of $47,961.
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 medical assistant earning $39,238 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,685 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,520
2025 BLS Actual
$37,380
2026 Current Est.
$39,238
2019–2027 Growth
+44.4%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,520 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,710 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,238 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,188 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Smith metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 31.1% from $28,520 (2019) to $37,380 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,188 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,668 (44.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) 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 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) | $34,231 – $36,666 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,666 – $39,238 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,238 – $41,967 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $41,967 – $45,683 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Fort Smith
With 430 medical assistants currently employed in Fort Smith, the local job market for this profession appears robust. The city offers a cost of living index of 85.888, indicating that living expenses are lower than the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of salaries. Among various workplaces, specialty practices such as cardiology and dermatology tend to offer the highest wages, significantly above those provided by primary care clinics and urgent care chains like CityMD and MedExpress. Factors contributing to pay disparities include specialty premiums, certification enhancements, and bonuses for bilingual capabilities. To maximize medical assistant pay in Fort Smith, pursuing additional certifications or gaining experience in high-demand specialty areas may prove advantageous for ambitious professionals aiming to capitalize on the evolving healthcare landscape.
More salary data for Fort Smith, 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 $37,380 for medical assistantsin the Fort Smith 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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 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