Healthcare Fort Smith, AR Pop. 89,142

Physician Assistant Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

The median physician assistant salary in Fort Smith, AR is $98,288 per year, which is 22% below the national median and 4.9% below the Arkansas state average.

City Median
$98,288
vs State Avg
$-5,040
vs National
$-27,722
Cost of Living
80%

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

Fort Smith offers a median physician assistant salary of $98,288, which is $5,040 below the Arkansas state average of $103,328. Compared to the national median of $126,010, 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 $98,288 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $122,860 in an average-cost city. This makes Fort Smith an attractive option for physician assistants seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physician assistants in Fort Smith spans from $65,520 at the 10th percentile to $135,720 at the 90th percentile — a $70,200 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $68,640, while senior physician assistants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $126,360. Fort Smith is a smaller market (pop. 89,142), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physician Assistant Salary in Fort Smith by Experience

In Fort Smith, an entry-level physician assistant earns around $68,640, while experienced professionals earn up to $126,360 per year. The local cost of living index is 80% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$68,640
$-19,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$98,280
$-27,720 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$126,360
$-35,640 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Smith, AR

Percentile Fort Smith
10th Percentile $65,520
25th Percentile $82,680
Median (50th) $98,288
75th Percentile $117,780
90th Percentile $135,720

Physician Assistant Salary in Other Arkansas Cities

Fayetteville, AR
$108,369
Pop. 93,949
Little Rock, AR
$107,109
Pop. 202,591
Springdale, AR
$103,328
Pop. 80,433
Jonesboro, AR
$100,808
Pop. 78,576

How to Become a Physician Assistant in Fort Smith

Education

Most physician assistant positions require a master's degree. Fort Smith and the surrounding Arkansas area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Clinical AssessmentPharmacologySurgical AssistingPatient CommunicationEMR SystemsDiagnosis

Job Outlook

Nationally, physician assistant employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Fort Smith may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physician Assistant Jobs in Fort Smith

Browse open physician assistant positions in Fort Smith, AR:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Physician Assistant Salary in Fort Smith

How much does a Physician Assistant make in Fort Smith, AR? ▼
The median physician assistant salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas is $98,288 per year, which is 22% below the national median of $126,010. Salaries range from $65,520 (10th percentile) to $135,720 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physician Assistant make per hour in Fort Smith? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $98,288, a physician assistant in Fort Smith earns approximately $47 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Smith compare to the Arkansas state average for physician assistant pay? ▼
Fort Smith's median physician assistant salary of $98,288 is 4.9% below the Arkansas state average of $103,328. 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 physician assistant salary of $98,288 in Fort Smith has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physician assistant in Fort Smith? ▼
Most physician assistant positions in Fort Smith require a master's degree. Key skills include Clinical Assessment, Pharmacology, Surgical Assisting, Patient Communication. The job market is projected to grow 28% nationally over the next decade.