Medical Assistant Salary in Fayetteville, AR: $40,308 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time medical assistant in Fayetteville, AR earns a median $40,308/year (≈ $19.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9092). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.4), that paycheck buys what $44,123 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the medical assistant salary in Fayetteville, AR, is projected to be $40,308, reflecting a growing demand in diverse markets. This median salary sits significantly below the national average of $47,961, highlighting local economic conditions and the unique bilingual premium that can affect compensation in areas with Hispanic or bilingual populations. The salary range for medical assistants in Fayetteville spans from $33,538 at the 10th percentile to $50,050 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. Such figures indicate a varied landscape where specialization, language skills, and certifications can greatly influence earning potential. As the healthcare job market continues to thrive, opportunities for medical assistants remain promising, particularly in bustling sectors like primary and urgent care.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,538 | $16.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,597 | $18.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,308 | $19.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,649 | $22.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,050 | $24.06 |
Median Salary Position
15.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, AR, the medical assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,512 (2026 est.). At $40,308, the local median is 15.96% below the national median of $47,961.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fayetteville Medical Assistant Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $40,308/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $39,249 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $47,961 | -15.96% less |
Medical Assistants in Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $40,308 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.96% lower than the national median of $47,961 and 2.70% above the Arkansas state average of $39,249.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 91.353 (below the national average of 100). A medical assistant earning $40,308 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,123 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.46% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$29,590
2025 BLS Actual
$38,400
2026 Current Est.
$40,308
2019–2027 Growth
+43.0%
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 | $29,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $37,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,308 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,312 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median medical assistant salary grew 29.8% from $29,590 (2019) to $38,400 (2025). At a 4.97% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,312 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,722 (42.99%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $33,538 – $38,597 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,597 – $40,308 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,308 – $46,649 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,649 – $50,050 |
MA, CMA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual medical assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Medical Assistant Job Market in Fayetteville
Fayetteville's local job market features approximately 1,270 medical assistants working across various healthcare settings, contributing to the community's health and wellness. The area’s cost-of-living index of 91.353 suggests that take-home purchasing power can stretch further compared to more expensive regions. Among employers, specialty practices such as dermatology and orthopedics tend to offer the highest pay, often surpassing compensation from primary care physician offices or urgent care chains like CityMD and MedExpress. Factors contributing to the wage range include the specialty practice premium as well as demand for bilingual MAs, which can lead to additional compensation. For those looking to maximize their medical assistant pay in Fayetteville, building skills in phlebotomy and EKG, pursuing certifications from recognized bodies like AAMA or NHA, and seeking positions in high-demand specialties can significantly enhance earning potential in this vibrant healthcare market.
More salary data for Fayetteville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do medical assistants make in Fayetteville, AR in 2026?
Is Fayetteville, AR a good place to work as a medical assistant?
Can medical assistants make $100K in Fayetteville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted medical assistant salary in Fayetteville?
How much does a medical assistant make per hour in Fayetteville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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 $38,400 for medical assistantsin the Fayetteville 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