Physician Assistant Salary in Fort Smith, AR: $123,819 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Fort Smith, AR earns a median $123,819/year (≈ $59.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Fort Smith's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $144,163 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For those considering a career as a physician assistant in Fort Smith, Arkansas, the financial outlook is promising, with a projected median annual salary of $123,819 for 2026. The salary range spans from $106,926 at the 10th percentile to $171,253 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the significant disparities in pay that can arise based on specialty, experience, and practice setting. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlights the benefits associated with the first-assist billing model common in surgical practices. Given that Fort Smith has a robust healthcare infrastructure, particularly in surgical specialties, this job market presents opportunities for PAs to maximize their earnings, particularly in fields like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,926 | $51.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $117,144 | $56.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,819 | $59.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $157,263 | $75.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $171,253 | $82.34 |
Median Salary Position
11.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Smith
In Fort Smith, AR, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,327 (2026 est.). At $123,819, the local median is 11.8% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Smith: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Smith Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Fort Smith median: $123,819/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Smith Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $140,391 | -11.80% less |
Physician Assistants in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $123,819 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.80% lower than the national median of $140,391.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Smith has a cost of living 14.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Smith, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.888 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $123,819 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $144,163 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$99,008
2025 BLS Actual
$119,840
2026 Current Est.
$123,819
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $99,008 | Actual |
| 2020 | $103,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,991 | Actual |
| 2025 | $119,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,819 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,929 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Smith metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $99,008 (2019) to $119,840 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,929 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,921 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Smith 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $106,926 – $117,144 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $117,144 – $123,819 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,819 – $157,263 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $157,263 – $171,253 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Fort Smith
In total, Fort Smith employs around 70 physician assistants, illustrating a stable local job market in this sector. With a cost-of-living index of 85.888, the purchasing power for these salaries tends to stretch further compared to many national averages, allowing PAs to enjoy a relatively comfortable lifestyle in the area. Hospitals and surgical specialty practices generally offer the highest compensation among employers, followed by emergency departments and urgent care facilities. Salary differences often stem from the type of work performed: surgical PAs typically earn more due to their involvement in higher-revenue-generating first-assist cases, while those in primary care may see lower pay. To enhance earning potential in Fort Smith, candidates should consider focusing on specialties with higher demand, pursuing further certifications, or exploring hospital employment options—particularly those that offer RVU productivity bonuses, as these can significantly influence overall compensation.
More salary data for Fort Smith, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $119,840 for physician assistantsin the Fort Smith metropolitan area. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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