Medical Assistant Pay

Fayetteville vs Springdale: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Fayetteville, AR and Springdale, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fayetteville, AR
$40,308
$19.38/hr
Springdale, AR
$40,939
$19.68/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFayetteville, ARSpringdale, AR
Median Salary$40,308$40,939
Hourly Rate$19.38$19.68
Entry Level (P10)$33,538$31,837
25th Percentile$38,597$33,816
75th Percentile$46,649$44,112
Top Earner (P90)$50,050$52,917
Total Employed1,27014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fayetteville ($40,308) and Springdale ($40,939) medical assistant salaries.FayettevilleSpringdaleMedian Salary$40,308$40,939Entry Level (P10)$33,538$31,837Top Earner (P90)$50,050$52,917US Median $47,961

Verdict

Springdale, AR offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fayetteville.

The salary gap between Fayetteville and Springdale is $631 (1.57%). Springdale's median is -14.64% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fayetteville spans $16,512,Springdale spans $21,080. Springdale has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$33,538
P25$38,597
Median$40,308
P75$46,649
P90 (Top)$50,050
Springdale
P10 (Entry)$31,837
P25$33,816
Median$40,939
P75$44,112
P90 (Top)$52,917

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springdale ($47,110 effective) pays 6.77% more than Fayetteville ($44,123 effective).

Fayetteville
Nominal: $40,308
CoL Index: 91.353
Adjusted: $44,123
Springdale
Nominal: $40,939
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $47,110

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Larger job market (1,270 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Springdale if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,939/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($52,917)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,110)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Fayetteville grew 29.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 35.3% growth in Springdale over the same period.

Fayetteville, AR

+29.8%

$29,590 (2019) → $38,400 (2025)

Springdale, AR

+35.3%

$28,834 (2024) → $39,001 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Fayetteville or Springdale?

Springdale has a higher median medical assistant salary at $40,939/year, compared to Fayetteville at $40,308/year — a difference of $631 (1.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fayetteville and Springdale?

Fayetteville medical assistants earn $19.38/hr while Springdale hygienists earn $19.68/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fayetteville to Springdale as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fayetteville and Springdale. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fayetteville = $44,123, Springdale = $47,110), job availability (1,270 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Fayetteville vs Springdale?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $33,538 in Fayetteville and $31,837 in Springdale. The Fayetteville area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

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.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Rodriguez, RMAData verified by Sofia Patel, CCMA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.97% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emma Chen, CMA, a licensed medical assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov