Medical Assistant salary in Arkansas
Medical Assistants in Arkansas earn a median of $37,760 a year ($18.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,060 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $45,690. Arkansas ranks 47th of 51 states for medical assistants pay. There are 4.0 medical assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $38,930, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for medical assistants in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,840 | $14.83 |
| 25th percentile | $35,700 | $17.17 |
| Median | $37,760 | $18.15 |
| 75th percentile | $42,900 | $20.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,060 | $22.14 |
| Average (mean) | $38,930 | $18.71 |
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 | $3,146.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,573.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,452.31 |
| Weekly | $726.15 |
| Hourly | $18.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,760 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 cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $37,380 | 430 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $37,190 | 220 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $36,600 | 260 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $36,160 | 230 |
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 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $42,830 | $20.59 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,570 | $16.62 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,450 | $18.01 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Massage Therapist | $39,990 | $19.23 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $35,100 | $16.87 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $27,660 | $13.30 |
| Nursing Assistant | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $64,520 | $31.02 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Orderly | $31,540 | $15.16 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
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 Arkansas?
The median salary for medical assistants in Arkansas is $37,760 a year, or $18.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid medical assistants make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of medical assistants in Arkansas earn at least $46,060 a year. The top 25% earn $42,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for medical assistants in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,840 a year, and a quarter of medical assistants earn $35,700 or less.
How many medical assistants work in Arkansas?
About 5,150 medical assistants are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.