Medical Assistant Pay

Fort Smith vs Rogers: Medical Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare medical assistant salaries between Fort Smith, AR and Rogers, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Smith, AR
$39,238
$18.86/hr
Rogers, AR
$40,968
$19.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Smith, ARRogers, AR
Median Salary$39,238$40,968
Hourly Rate$18.86$19.69
Entry Level (P10)$34,231$31,907
25th Percentile$36,666$33,875
75th Percentile$41,967$44,178
Top Earner (P90)$45,683$53,013
Total Employed43011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Smith ($39,238) and Rogers ($40,968) medical assistant salaries.Fort SmithRogersMedian Salary$39,238$40,968Entry Level (P10)$34,231$31,907Top Earner (P90)$45,683$53,013US Median $47,961

Verdict

Rogers, AR offers better overall compensation for medical assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Smith.

The salary gap between Fort Smith and Rogers is $1,730 (4.41%). Rogers's median is -14.58% compared to the US national median of $47,961.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Smith spans $11,452,Rogers spans $21,106. Rogers has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced medical assistants.

Fort Smith
P10 (Entry)$34,231
P25$36,666
Median$39,238
P75$41,967
P90 (Top)$45,683
Rogers
P10 (Entry)$31,907
P25$33,875
Median$40,968
P75$44,178
P90 (Top)$53,013

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rogers ($47,144 effective) pays 3.19% more than Fort Smith ($45,685 effective).

Fort Smith
Nominal: $39,238
CoL Index: 85.888
Adjusted: $45,685
Rogers
Nominal: $40,968
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $47,144

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Smith if…

  • Larger job market (430 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Rogers if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,968/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($53,013)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,144)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, medical assistant salaries in Fort Smith grew 31.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 35.3% growth in Rogers over the same period.

Fort Smith, AR

+31.1%

$28,520 (2019) → $37,380 (2025)

Rogers, AR

+35.3%

$28,855 (2024) → $39,028 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays medical assistants more: Fort Smith or Rogers?

Rogers has a higher median medical assistant salary at $40,968/year, compared to Fort Smith at $39,238/year — a difference of $1,730 (4.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Smith and Rogers?

Fort Smith medical assistants earn $18.86/hr while Rogers hygienists earn $19.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Smith to Rogers as a medical assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Smith and Rogers. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Smith = $45,685, Rogers = $47,144), job availability (430 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level medical assistants earn in Fort Smith vs Rogers?

Entry-level (10th percentile) medical assistants earn $34,231 in Fort Smith and $31,907 in Rogers. The Fort Smith 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