Medical Records Specialist salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Medical Records Specialists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $37,020 a year ($17.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,430 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $51,140. Pay here is 11% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $41,740. There are 1.3 medical records specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $41,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical records specialists in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,140 | $15.93 |
| 25th percentile | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Median | $37,020 | $17.80 |
| 75th percentile | $42,340 | $20.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,430 | $29.05 |
| Average (mean) | $41,950 | $20.17 |
Half of medical records specialists 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 | $3,085 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,542.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,423.85 |
| Weekly | $711.92 |
| Hourly | $17.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,020 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 Records Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City, OK | $57,420 | 1,110 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,100 | 660 |
| Tulsa, OK | $51,440 | 580 |
| Lawton, OK | $49,940 | 120 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $48,770 | 290 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $41,780 | 670 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $41,230 | 40 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $38,080 | 80 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $34,940 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for medical records specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $72,040 |
| Rhode Island | $63,960 |
| Hawaii | $63,180 |
| Washington | $62,270 |
| California | $61,810 |
| New York | $61,720 |
| Minnesota | $61,530 |
| Alaska | $61,090 |
| Connecticut | $60,940 |
| Massachusetts | $60,350 |
See Medical Records Specialist pay in every state or the Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $55,880 | $26.86 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $38,770 | $18.64 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $45,210 | $21.74 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $64,410 | $30.97 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Surgical Technologist | $61,890 | $29.76 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $30,960 | $14.89 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $100,140 | $48.14 |
| Paramedic | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $37,370 | $17.97 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $74,270 | $35.71 |
| Registered Nurse | $79,870 | $38.40 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,270 | $62.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $258,130 | $124.10 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 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 29-2072. 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 records specialist make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for medical records specialists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $37,020 a year, or $17.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical records specialists make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of medical records specialists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $60,430 a year. The top 25% earn $42,340 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical records specialists in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,140 a year, and a quarter of medical records specialists earn $34,960 or less.
How many medical records specialists work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 120 medical records specialists are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.