Physician Assistant salary in Arkansas
Physician Assistants in Arkansas earn a median of $118,430 a year ($56.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 850 workers.
Pay ranges from $88,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,080 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $135,880. Arkansas ranks 47th of 51 states for physician assistants pay. There are 0.65 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $118,430, close to the median.
Pay range for physician assistants in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $88,160 | $42.39 |
| 25th percentile | $103,810 | $49.91 |
| Median | $118,430 | $56.94 |
| 75th percentile | $133,270 | $64.07 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $159,080 | $76.48 |
| Average (mean) | $118,430 | $56.94 |
Half of physician 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 | $9,869.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,934.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,555 |
| Weekly | $2,277.50 |
| Hourly | $56.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $118,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physician Assistant salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $130,810 | 180 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $124,870 | 40 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $122,720 | 30 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $121,900 | 290 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $119,840 | 70 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $117,660 | 30 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $109,110 | 340 |
Highest-paying states for physician assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $165,690 |
| California | $165,650 |
| Washington | $164,360 |
| Hawaii | $164,050 |
| New York | $160,880 |
| Oregon | $155,780 |
| New Hampshire | $150,960 |
| Alaska | $150,700 |
| Vermont | $150,490 |
| Massachusetts | $142,410 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Physicians, All Other | $136,880 | $65.81 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,660 | $60.41 |
| Pharmacist | $136,060 | $65.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,580 | $40.18 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,360 | $51.14 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,760 | $41.71 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $73,870 | $35.51 |
| Dentists, General | $178,930 | $86.02 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,540 | $31.51 |
| Veterinarian | $107,710 | $51.79 |
| Therapists, All Other | $61,920 | $29.77 |
| Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $262,470 | $126.19 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1071. 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 physician assistant make in Arkansas?
The median salary for physician assistants in Arkansas is $118,430 a year, or $56.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $88,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $159,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of physician assistants in Arkansas earn at least $159,080 a year. The top 25% earn $133,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $88,160 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $103,810 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Arkansas?
About 850 physician assistants are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.