Medical Assistant in Little Rock, AR

The Salary Picture: Where Little Rock Stands

Here’s the unvarnished truth about Medical Assistant salaries in Little Rock: it’s a stable, mid-tier market. The median salary sits at $37,018/year or $17.8/hour. That’s slightly below the national median of $38,270/year, but the cost of living here is your secret weapon. With a Cost of Living Index of 89.1 (US avg = 100), your dollar stretches significantly further than in cities like Dallas or Nashville.

The job market is modest but consistent, with 407 medical assistant positions in the metro area at any given time. The 10-year job growth projection is 15%, driven by an aging population and the expansion of community health clinics in underserved areas of Pulaski County.

Your earning potential is directly tied to your experience, certifications, and the type of facility you work in. A dermatology clinic in the affluent Hillcrest neighborhood won't pay the same as a community health center in West Little Rock's commercial corridor.

Experience-Level Earnings Breakdown

Experience Level	Typical Salary Range	Key Local Factors
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$30,000 - $34,000	Often starts in urgent care or large multi-specialty groups. Expect to start below median.
Mid-Level (3-5 years)	$35,000 - $40,000	Where the median ($37,018) falls. Specializing (e.g., ophthalmology, cardiology) can push you higher.
Senior (5-10 years)	$40,000 - $45,000+	Often involves lead MA roles, training new staff, or working in high-demand specialties like orthopedics.
Expert (10+ years)	$45,000 - $52,000+	Rare, but possible in academic medicine (UAMS) or private specialty practices with complex patient loads.

How Little Rock Compares to Other Arkansas Cities

Little Rock is the state's economic hub, but it doesn't always command the highest salaries. Specialty practices in Northwest Arkansas (Fayetteville, Bentonville) often pay a premium due to corporate healthcare demand from companies like Walmart and Tyson. However, the sheer volume of opportunities in the Little Rock metro—the state's largest—gives you more options for job mobility.

City	Median Salary	Job Market Size	Cost of Living Index
Little Rock	$37,018	407 Jobs	89.1
Fayetteville	~$37,200	~150 Jobs	88.5
Fort Smith	~$35,800	~90 Jobs	82.7
Jonesboro	~$36,500	~110 Jobs	84.2

Note: Figures for other cities are estimates based on regional BLS data. Little Rock offers the best balance of salary and opportunity.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s break down the monthly budget for a Medical Assistant earning the median salary of $37,018/year. This is the reality of living in Little Rock on a typical MA wage.

Assumptions:

• Gross Monthly Income: $3,085
• Estimated Taxes (Federal, State, FICA): ~$550/month
• Net Monthly Income: $2,535
• Average 1BR Rent: $950/month

Monthly Budget Breakdown for an MA Earning $37,018

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Net Income	$2,535	After taxes
Rent (1BR Apartment)	$950	Target neighborhoods: Hillcrest, Capitol View, or Sherwood. Avoid River Market luxury units.
Utilities (Electric, Water, Internet)	$180	Arkansas summers are hot; AC costs add up.
Groceries	$300	Shop at local chains like Kroger or Arkansas-based Harps.
Car Payment/Insurance	$350	Essential. Public transit (Rock Region Metro) is limited.
Health Insurance (if not covered)	$150	Employer plans typically cover 60-80%.
Student Loans/Debt	$150	Varies widely.
Miscellaneous (Food, Gas, Savings)	$455	This is your buffer.
Remaining	$0	It’s tight. You can live on it, but savings and discretionary spending are minimal.

Can they afford to buy a home?
On a $37,018 salary, qualifying for a mortgage on the median Little Rock home price (~$220,000) is extremely difficult. Lenders look for a debt-to-income ratio under 43%. Your estimated monthly housing payment (including taxes and insurance) would be around $1,500, which is over half your take-home pay. It's not impossible with a substantial down payment or a dual-income household, but it's a major stretch. Renting is the financially prudent choice for most MAs in this salary bracket.

Where the Jobs Are: Little Rock's Major Employers

Little Rock’s healthcare landscape is dominated by a few major systems, but there are also significant opportunities in private practice and community health. Hiring trends show a strong preference for candidates with the RMA (Registered Medical Assistant) or CCMA (Certified Clinical Medical Assistant) credentials from NHA or AAMA.

1. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS): The state’s premier academic medical center. They hire MAs for their numerous specialty clinics (e.g., Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute). Pay is often at or slightly above median, with excellent benefits. Insider Tip: UAMS posts jobs on its own career portal; they rarely use third-party sites.

2. Arkansas Children’s Hospital: A nationally ranked pediatric hospital. Working here is demanding but rewarding. They have a structured career ladder for MAs. The main campus is in the Medical District, with a newer location in Springdale (for NWA candidates).

3. Baptist Health Medical Center (Little Rock & North Little Rock): The largest private, not-for-profit system in the state. They have a constant need for MAs across primary care, urgent care, and specialty services. Their system-wide "Baptist Health Careers" site is where you should apply.

4. CHI St. Vincent: Part of the national CommonSpirit Health system. Their facilities are scattered across the metro, including a large hospital in Sherwood and clinics in the Hillcrest/River Market area. They often hire for both hospital-based and outpatient roles.

5. Neighborhood Health Centers (NHC): A key player in community care. They have multiple locations (e.g., the Delta Cultural Center location in downtown Little Rock). These roles are critical for serving underserved populations and often have a mission-driven focus. Pay might be at the lower end of the scale, but the work-life balance can be better.

6. Private Specialty Practices: This is where you find niche opportunities. Look for large multi-specialty groups like Arkansas Heart Hospital (separate from Baptist), Little Rock Gynecology & Obstetrics, or Arkansas Otolaryngology Center. Private practices often pay more for specialized skills (e.g., phlebotomy, EKGs, surgical assisting) and can offer a more intimate work environment.

Hiring Trends: There is high demand for MAs who are proficient in electronic medical records (EMR) systems—specifically Epic, which is used by UAMS and Arkansas Children’s, and Cerner, common at CHI St. Vincent. Fluency in Spanish is a significant advantage, especially in community health settings.

Getting Licensed in AR

Arkansas has a straightforward certification process, but it’s not optional if you want a competitive edge. The state does not have a "Medical Assistant" license, but employers overwhelmingly require national certification. The two main bodies are the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA) for the CMA and the National Healthcareer Association (NHA) for the CCMA.

State-Specific Requirements:

• Education: You must graduate from an accredited Medical Assistant program (typically 9-12 months). Look for programs accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) or the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES). Local options include Pulaski Technical College (North Little Rock) and The University of Arkansas - Little Rock (UALR).
• Certification Exam: After graduation, you must pass a national exam (CMA or CCMA). The exam fee is typically $120-$150.
• Continuing Education: To maintain your certification (CMA from AAMA), you need 60 Continuing Education units every 5 years. Most employers cover some of this cost.

Timeline to Get Started:

1. Enroll in an accredited program: 1-2 months for application and start.
2. Complete your education: 9-12 months.
3. Prepare for & pass your exam: 1-2 months post-graduation.
4. Total time to a certified MA: 12-16 months.

Cost Breakdown:

• Tuition: $3,500 - $8,000 (Pulaski Tech is on the lower end).
• Exam Fee: ~$150.
• Books & Supplies: ~$500.
• Total Investment: $4,150 - $8,650.

Insider Tip: Many employers in Little Rock, including Baptist Health, have tuition reimbursement programs for employees who pursue certification. It's worth asking about in interviews.

Best Neighborhoods for Medical Assistants

Your neighborhood choice will impact your commute, rent, and lifestyle. Little Rock is a car-dependent city, so proximity to major hospitals is key.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Best For...
Hillcrest	Historic, walkable, charming. 10-15 min drive to UAMS & Baptist.	$900 - $1,100	Young professionals, those who want cafes and parks nearby.
Capitol View / Stifft's Station	Up-and-coming, near the Capitol and I-630. 10-12 min to hospitals.	$850 - $1,000	A balance of affordability and accessibility.
Sherwood	Suburban, quiet, family-friendly. Home to CHI St. Vincent North.	$800 - $950	Those working at CHI St. Vincent North or wanting more space.
West Little Rock	Commercial corridor, newer apartments. 15-20 min to most hospitals.	$950 - $1,200	Convenience to shopping and dining, but a longer commute.
North Little Rock (Park Hill)	Just across the river, historic feel. Quick access to Baptist’s NLR campus.	$800 - $1,000	A great value option with easy river crossing commutes.

Insider Tip: Avoid living in the immediate downtown area unless you work there. The River Market is great for weekends, but daily living can be noisy and expensive. For a medical professional, a 10-15 minute commute is ideal. Hillcrest is a favorite for its character and proximity to everything.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Stagnation is a real risk in the MA field if you don't plan ahead. In Little Rock, advancement means either specializing or moving into management.

Specialty Premiums: Certain specialties in Little Rock command higher pay due to complexity and demand.

• Ophthalmology & Dermatology: Highly procedural, often in private practice. Pay can be $2-$4/hour above median.
• Orthopedics & Sports Medicine: Involves casting, splinting, and pre/post-op care. Strong demand at clinics like OrthoArkansas.
• Cardiology: High-acuity patient care, EKG proficiency. Positions at Arkansas Heart Hospital are coveted.
• Phlebotomy: If you are certified to draw blood (a separate skill), you become more valuable. Many urgent cares and labs need this.

Advancement Paths:

1. Lead Medical Assistant: Overseeing other MAs, managing supply inventory, and coordinating with providers. Pay bump of $3,000-$5,000/year.
2. Clinical Coordinator/Office Manager: This requires more administrative training (e.g., a degree in healthcare administration). In Little Rock, this can lead to salaries of $50,000+.
3. Transition to a Different Role: Some MAs use their experience to move into Medical Coding/Billing (often remote-friendly) or Healthcare Administration. UAMS and UALR offer degree programs to facilitate this.

The 10-Year Outlook:
The 15% job growth is positive, but it's not automatic. The market will favor MAs who are tech-savvy, certified, and can work in team-based care models. Telehealth is also growing, and MAs who can manage virtual patient intake and remote monitoring will have an edge. The key is to never stop learning. Attend local conferences, get additional certifications (e.g., for EKG, phlebotomy, or medical coding), and build relationships in the tight-knit Arkansas healthcare community.

The Verdict: Is Little Rock Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your $37,018 salary goes much further here than the national average.	Humidity & Heat: Arkansas summers are brutal (often 95°F+ with high humidity).
Stable Job Market: 407 jobs and 15% growth provide security.	Car Dependency: You need a reliable vehicle; public transit is limited.
Major Employers: Multiple large health systems offer job variety and mobility.	Political & Social Climate: Arkansas is a deeply conservative state; this can be a pro or con depending on your views.
Outdoor Access: Easy access to hiking, fishing, and the scenic Arkansas River Trail.	Limited Diversity in Specialties: Fewer ultra-sophisticated research hospitals compared to major metros like Houston or Atlanta.
Friendly Community: "Southern hospitality" is real. Networking is easier in a smaller metro.	Lower Ceiling: Top-end salaries for MAs are modest compared to high-cost-of-living states.

Final Recommendation:
Little Rock is an excellent choice for a Medical Assistant who values stability, affordability, and work-life balance over maximum earning potential. It's ideal for:

• Recent graduates looking to start their career in a supportive market.
• MAs from higher-cost areas seeking to stretch their income.
• Those who prefer a slower pace of life and easy access to nature.

It's a poor choice for:

• MAs seeking the absolute highest salary regardless of location.
• Those who rely heavily on public transportation or walkable urban cores.
• Individuals who require a vast selection of highly specialized, niche medical fields.

FAQs

1. Do I need to be certified to work as a Medical Assistant in Arkansas?
Legally, no. However, in practice, it is nearly impossible to get hired as a Clinical MA without certification (CMA or CCMA). Arkansas employers almost universally list "certification required" in job postings. It is an investment that pays for itself quickly.

2. What is the job market like for bilingual (Spanish/English) MAs in Little Rock?
Extremely strong. With a growing Latino population in areas like Southwest Little Rock and North Little Rock, clinics and hospitals are actively seeking bilingual MAs. This skill can give you a competitive edge and potentially a higher starting salary.

3. How do I find a Medical Assistant program in the area?
Check with Pulaski Technical College (North Little Rock) and the University of Arkansas - Little Rock (UALR). Both have well-regarded, accredited programs. Avoid for-profit schools with high tuition and low placement rates—always verify accreditation on the CAAHEP or ABHES websites.

4. Is working for a hospital or a private practice better in Little Rock?
It depends on your priorities. Hospitals (UAMS, Baptist, CHI St. Vincent) offer better benefits, retirement plans, and opportunities for advancement into management. Private practices often pay slightly more, offer a predictable 9-5 schedule, and a closer-knit team environment. The trade-off is typically benefits vs. salary and lifestyle.

5. How long does it realistically take to get a job after certification?
In Little Rock's current market, a certified Medical Assistant should expect to receive job offers within 1-3 months of actively applying. Be flexible with shift times (evenings, weekends) for your first position, as that opens up more opportunities at urgent care centers.