Healthcare Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Medical Assistant Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median medical assistant salary in Fort Smith, AR is $29,851 per year, which is 22% below the national median and 4.9% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$29,851
vs State Avg
$-1,530
vs National
$-8,419
Cost of Living
80%

Medical Assistant Pay in Fort Smith: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Smith offers a median medical assistant salary of $29,851, which is $1,530 below the Arkansas state average of $31,381. Compared to the national median of $38,270, Fort Smith pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Fort Smith's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 80% of the national average. This means the $29,851 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $37,314 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for medical assistants seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for medical assistants in Fort Smith spans from $22,932 at the 10th percentile to $40,560 at the 90th percentile — a $17,628 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $23,400, while senior medical assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $37,440. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Medical Assistant Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level medical assistant earns around $23,400, while experienced professionals earn up to $37,440 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$23,400
$-6,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$29,640
$-8,360 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$37,440
$-10,560 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $22,932
25th Percentile $25,896
Median (50th) $29,851
75th Percentile $34,944
90th Percentile $40,560

Medical Assistant Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$32,912
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$32,530
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$31,381
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$30,616
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Medical Assistant in Fort Smith

Education

Most medical assistant positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Fort Smith and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Vital SignsPatient PrepMedical TerminologyEMR SystemsPhlebotomyScheduling

Job Outlook

Nationally, medical assistant employment is projected to grow 14% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Medical Assistant Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open medical assistant positions in Fort Smith, AR:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Medical Assistant Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Medical Assistant make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median medical assistant salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $29,851 per year, which is 22% below the national median of $38,270. Salaries range from $22,932 (10th percentile) to $40,560 (90th percentile).
How much does a Medical Assistant make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $29,851, a medical assistant in Fort Smith earns approximately $14 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for medical assistant pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median medical assistant salary of $29,851 is 4.9% below the Arkansas state average of $31,381. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
Fort Smith has a cost of living index of 80% compared to the national average. This means a medical assistant salary of $29,851 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a medical assistant in Fort Smith? ▼
Most medical assistant positions in Fort Smith require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Vital Signs, Patient Prep, Medical Terminology, EMR Systems. The job market is projected to grow 14% nationally over the next decade.