Entry-Level Medical Assistant Salary in Fayetteville, AR: $33,538 (2026)
Quick Answer:New medical assistants entering the Fayetteville, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $33,538 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 31-9092, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Fayetteville's local price level (BEA RPP 91.4 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $36,713 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($40,308) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, AR, new graduates entering the medical assistant field can expect a starting salary around $33,538 in 2026, significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $40,308. This leaves a notable gap that early-career professionals will aim to bridge as they gain experience in their roles. Over the first few years, aspiring medical assistants can realistically anticipate gradual salary increases, progressing through the $38,597 mark at the 25th percentile and potentially approaching the median as they build skills and responsibilities. Given the projected 4.97% growth rate, the Fayetteville job market appears favorable for entry-level positions, providing new grads with opportunities to establish themselves in a rapidly expanding healthcare sector.
Career Earnings Timeline in Fayetteville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
Entry-level medical assistants in Fayetteville, AR typically start between $33,538 and $38,597 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $16,512 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $40,308 — 15.96% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average medical assisting program cost in Arkansas of $4,500 represents just 13.42% of the starting medical assistant pay ($33,538/year) in Fayetteville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CAAHEP and ABHES-accredited medical assisting program data and community college tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary by institution type (community college, private vocational) and program length.
MA, CMA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Fayetteville
- 1Research the Fayetteville market: entry-level medical assistant pay ranges from $33,538 to $38,597, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the medical assisting field — employers in AR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Fayetteville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Fayetteville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Fayetteville's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Medical Assistant Compensation Range
The medical assistant wage spread in Fayetteville is $16,512 ( 49.23%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $33,538, experienced hygienists can earn up to $50,050.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$22,630
2025 BLS Actual
$31,950
2026 Current Est.
$33,538
2019–2027 Growth
+55.6%
Salary Trajectory for Medical Assistants in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.97% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $22,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $24,850 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $31,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33,538 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,205 | Projected |
Entry-level medical assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Fayetteville, AR grew 41.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $22,630 in 2019 to $31,950 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $35,205. New graduates entering the Fayetteville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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.
Starting Your medical assisting Career in Fayetteville
New graduate medical assistants in Fayetteville often find their first positions in primary care offices and urgent care chains, which typically have structured onboarding programs designed to support those fresh out of training. Though specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics tend to prefer candidates with 1-2 years of experience, Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) not only hire new graduates but also provide incentives like loan repayment programs for National Health Service Corps participants and additional pay for bilingual candidates. To enhance starting pay, obtaining a diploma or associate’s degree from an accredited program is essential, and pursuing national certification through organizations like the AAMA, AMT, NHA, or NCCT is advisable. In the first three years, graduates should set realistic expectations for salary growth; while initial pay may seem modest, opportunities in urgent care and corporate health can provide further financial benefits as practitioners advance in their careers.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new medical assisting graduates. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Fayetteville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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