Entry-Level Physician Assistant Salary in Little Rock, AR: $51,629 (2026)
Quick Answer:New physician assistants entering the Little Rock, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $51,629 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Little Rock's local price level (BEA RPP 89.4 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $57,774 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($112,732) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
In Little Rock, Arkansas, the starting physician assistant salary is projected to be $51,629 in 2026, which provides a clear baseline for new graduates entering the workforce. This figure is considerably below the city’s median salary for physician assistants, which is projected at $112,732, highlighting a significant gap that new grads may experience as they begin their careers. However, early-career PAs can expect a gradual increase in earnings; as they gain experience and move toward the 25th percentile of the salary range at $102,214, they can anticipate steady growth over the first three to five years in the profession. With a 3.32% annual growth rate, Little Rock presents a viable market for newcomers, offering opportunities for advancement and specialization within the field.
Career Earnings Timeline in Little Rock
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock
Entry-level physician assistants in Little Rock, AR typically start between $51,629 and $102,214 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $99,187 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $112,732 — 19.7% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average physician assistant program cost in Arkansas of $52,000 represents just 100.72% of the starting physician assistant pay ($51,629/year) in Little Rock. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ARC-PA accredited master's-level PA programs. Most PA programs run 27-30 months and include didactic and clinical rotation phases. Public in-state programs are the most affordable option; private programs in high-cost metros can approach $150k. Totals reflect tuition and program fees only; PANCE certification exam fees are separate.
PA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Little Rock
- 1Research the Little Rock market: entry-level physician assistant pay ranges from $51,629 to $102,214, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the physician assistant field — employers in AR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Little Rock, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Little Rock for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Little Rock's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Physician Assistant Compensation Range
The physician assistant wage spread in Little Rock is $99,187 ( 192.11%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $51,629, experienced hygienists can earn up to $150,816.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$29,840
2025 BLS Actual
$49,970
2026 Current Est.
$51,629
2019–2027 Growth
+78.8%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,629 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,343 | Projected |
Entry-level physician assistant compensation (10th percentile) in Little Rock, AR grew 67.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $29,840 in 2019 to $49,970 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $53,343. New graduates entering the Little Rock job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your physician assistant Career in Little Rock
Those starting their careers in Little Rock will find various employment options, particularly in primary care and urgent care settings, which often welcome new grads and provide structured onboarding programs. Additionally, surgical subspecialty roles—most notably in orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery—can lead to higher compensation due to the demand for first-assist capabilities and billing. To enhance entry-level earnings, having a Master's degree from an ARC-PA accredited program, NCCPA certification, and a state PA license is essential, with options for specialization through Certificates of Added Qualifications further boosting job prospects. In the first three years, PAs in Arkansas will likely see salary growth as they build their skills and establish their professional networks, positioning themselves favorably within a competitive yet supportive environment that aligns with the principles of Optimal Team Practice adopted post-2020.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C
Career Analyst
Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new physician assistant graduates. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Little Rock. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov