Medical Assistant Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $18.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a medical assistant working in Fort Smith, AR runs $18.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,238 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,541 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Medical assistants in Fort Smith, Arkansas, can expect a median hourly pay of $18.86, which is notably lower than the national median of $23.06. This level of compensation has significant implications for part-time and per-diem workers in various healthcare settings such as primary care clinics, specialty practices, and urgent care facilities. For those working three days a week, this hourly rate equates to a take-home pay that can support a comfortable lifestyle, albeit with lower earnings than their counterparts in higher-paying states. The hourly pay range for medical assistants in Fort Smith varies from $16.46 for entry-level positions to $21.96 for top earners, reflecting the demand and skill level within this rapidly growing healthcare profession. According to projections based on 2025 BLS data, these figures provide guidance for anyone considering a role in medical assisting in the region.
Medical Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.46 | $131.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.63 | $141.08 |
| Median (P50) | $18.86 | $150.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.18 | $161.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $21.96 | $175.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $18.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.86/hr, a medical assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $39,235 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,636. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Smith.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Smith
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $754.52 | $3,270 | $39,235 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $452.71 | $1,962 | $23,541 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $301.81 | $1,308 | $15,694 |
Compare MA, CMA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Medical Assistant (Fort Smith) | $18.86 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.36 |
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.
Medical Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.86/hr = $23,541/year (purchasing power: $27,409).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,235/year (purchasing power: $45,682).
CoL index: 85.888 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.4%
Hourly Rate 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 | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.92/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for medical assistants in Fort Smith grew 31.1% from $13.71/hr (2019) to $17.97/hr (2025). At a 4.97% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.80/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem medical assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Medical Assistant in Fort Smith
Analyzing the earning potential for medical assistants reveals the dynamics of part-time work versus full-time employment. A medical assistant working 24 hours a week, for instance, could expect to take home around $23,492 annually, much less than a full-time counterpart. Meanwhile, those opting for per-diem positions can greatly enhance their earnings, with pay rates generally ranging from $20 to $30 per hour, and specialty practices like dermatology providing even higher rates, hitting $25 to $38 hourly. It's crucial to understand that hourly pay can differ significantly across employer types in Fort Smith—urgent care clinics may offer stipends for extended shifts, while corporate clinics often balance lower pay with benefits. Additionally, many medical assistants must evaluate whether the trade-off of lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits is worth it, especially in such a competitive field. For those entering the workforce, negotiation can be key; emphasizing certifications and relevant experience when discussing pay will serve candidates well in this vibrant healthcare market.
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.97% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for medical assistants in Fort Smith. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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