Medical Assistant.
Little Rock.
$31,000
median salary, 18% below the national average
$26,000 to $37,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Here is what Medical Assistants actually make in Little Rock: $26,000 at the 25th percentile, $31,000 at the median, and $37,000 at the 75th. That is 18% below the national average. Little Rock's economy is driven by Walmart's nearby headquarters ecosystem, state government, healthcare, and logistics. The number on your offer letter will depend on what you bring and how you ask.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $28,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$20,000
to $25,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$26,000
to $33,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$34,000
to $40,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$39,000
to $48,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $6,000 to the total package.
Base
$31,000
Equity
$3,000
Bonus
$2,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $37,000
How Little Rock compares
Little Rock, AR
$31,000
Cost of living: 18% below average
National Average
$38,000
Little Rock is $7,000 below
Medical Assistant salary by city
Salary by role in Little Rock
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Medical Assistant roles in Little Rock, here is what you are walking into. Little Rock's economy is driven by Walmart's nearby headquarters ecosystem, state government, healthcare, and logistics. The metro's extremely low cost of living means even moderate salaries deliver strong purchasing power. Tech jobs are growing as companies seek affordable alternatives to major metros. Certification status is the largest pay differentiator, with CMA and RMA credentials adding 10 to 15% over uncertified MAs. Specialty practices like dermatology, orthopedics, and cardiology pay more than general primary care. Urban areas and hospital-owned practices consistently offer higher wages than rural independent clinics.
Entry-level MAs start at $30,000 to $34,000 without certification. Certified MAs with three to five years of experience earn $38,000 to $44,000. Lead MAs or clinical supervisors overseeing support staff can reach $46,000 to $55,000 in larger practices or health systems. In Little Rock, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 18% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Medical assistants typically receive health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plan access. Some employers offer tuition assistance for nursing or allied health programs, which adds long-term value beyond the base salary. And on the tax side: arkansas has a top income tax rate of 4.4%. Little Rock has no city income tax. The combination of low taxes and very affordable housing creates one of the best net pay environments in the country. When someone quotes you $31,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Reference the Walmart and Tyson ecosystem when negotiating. Northwest Arkansas and Little Rock employers benchmark against national corporate pay scales. The range for Medical Assistants in Little Rock runs from $26,000 to $37,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Early Childhood Educator in Little Rock earns $30,000 (3% less)
- The highest-paying role in Little Rock is Chief AI Officer at $259,000
Common questions.
Medical Assistant salary in other cities
Other salaries in Little Rock
Related
Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
Want this data on your site? Embed the salary widget — one script tag, free forever.