Medical Assistant salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Medical Assistants in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $37,380 a year ($17.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,520 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $45,690. Pay here is 1% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $37,760. There are 4.5 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical assistants in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,610 | $15.68 |
| 25th percentile | $34,930 | $16.80 |
| Median | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| 75th percentile | $39,980 | $19.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $43,520 | $20.92 |
| Average (mean) | $37,990 | $18.27 |
Half of medical assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,115 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,557.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,437.69 |
| Weekly | $718.85 |
| Hourly | $17.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,380 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Medical Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City, OK | $39,810 | 4,730 |
| Tulsa, OK | $39,440 | 3,010 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $39,260 | 3,350 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $38,400 | 1,270 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $38,110 | 1,660 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $37,190 | 220 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $36,600 | 260 |
| Enid, OK | $36,270 | 170 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $36,160 | 230 |
| Lawton, OK | $35,820 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for medical assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $59,290 |
| Alaska | $52,560 |
| District of Columbia | $51,050 |
| Minnesota | $50,480 |
| Oregon | $50,410 |
| California | $49,660 |
| Massachusetts | $49,460 |
| Wisconsin | $48,680 |
| Hawaii | $48,410 |
| Colorado | $48,400 |
See Medical Assistant pay in every state or the Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $37,160 | $17.87 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $32,590 | $15.67 |
| Phlebotomist | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $34,360 | $16.52 |
| Massage Therapist | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $28,410 | $13.66 |
| Nursing Assistant | $32,020 | $15.39 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,210 | $30.39 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $80,660 | $38.78 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9092. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a medical assistant make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for medical assistants in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $37,380 a year, or $17.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $43,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of medical assistants in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $43,520 a year. The top 25% earn $39,980 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,610 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $34,930 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 430 medical assistants are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.