SOC 43-6013 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants — Fort Smith
Fort Smith, AR-OK · 4 metro areas compared
In Fort Smith, AR the median wage is $35,830.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Fort Smith, AR the median wage is $35,830. That is 22.0% lower than the national median of $45,930. Pay ranges from under $34,140 at the tenth percentile to more than $42,790 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $35,580 to $37,540.
The area has 280 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.47 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Little Rock records the highest median at $39,630. Of the 302 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 237th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,140 | −25.7% |
| 25th | $35,580 | −22.5% |
| Median (50th) | $35,830 | −22.0% |
| 75th | $37,540 | −18.3% |
| 90th | $42,790 | −6.8% |
| Mean | $37,120 | −19.2% |
Other metro areas in Arkansas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Rock | $39,630 | 720 | |
| 2 | Fayetteville | $39,090 | 300 | |
| 3 | Hot Springs | $38,800 | 100 | |
| 4 | Jonesboro | $36,730 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Fort Smith run 13.1% below the national average, so the median of $35,830 goes as far as $41,231 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$35,830as reported by BLSLocal price level
86.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,231US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $35,830 a year, 22.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,140 to $42,790 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 280 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Little Rock, at $39,630.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants in Fort Smith, AR?
The median annual wage is $35,830, or $17.22 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $45,930, so pay in Fort Smith, AR is 22.0% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Fort Smith, AR earns more than $42,790 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,140 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Little Rock, at $39,630 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 280 jobs in this occupation in Fort Smith, AR. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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