Physician Assistant Salary in Hot Springs, AR: $126,794 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physician assistant in Hot Springs, AR earns a median $126,794/year (≈ $60.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Once you factor in Hot Springs's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $147,899 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physician assistants in Hot Springs, Arkansas, can expect a median annual salary of $126,794 in 2026, reflecting the city’s unique healthcare landscape. With a range from $97,513 at the 10th percentile to $164,361 at the 90th percentile, compensation levels present an attractive opportunity for those delving into this profession. This salary data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, highlights the influence of first-assist billing models in surgical practices, particularly in fields like orthopedics and cardiothoracic surgery, where higher values are often tied to robust procedural case volumes. As the market grows, the demand for skilled PAs in Hot Springs signifies a healthy job outlook anchored in a diverse array of clinical practices.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,513 | $46.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,794 | $60.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,794 | $60.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,676 | $66.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,361 | $79.02 |
Median Salary Position
9.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hot Springs
In Hot Springs, AR, the physician assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,848 (2026 est.). At $126,794, the local median is 9.69% below the national median of $140,391.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hot Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hot Springs Physician Assistant Pay Compares
Hot Springs median: $126,794/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hot Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $123,823 | +2.40% more |
| National Average | $140,391 | -9.69% less |
Physician Assistants in Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $126,794 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.69% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 2.40% above the Arkansas state average of $123,823.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hot Springs has a cost of living 14.27% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hot Springs, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.73 (below the national average of 100). A physician assistant earning $126,794 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $147,899 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$101,388
2025 BLS Actual
$122,720
2026 Current Est.
$126,794
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $101,388 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,214 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $113,806 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,428 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,856 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,720 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,794 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $131,004 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hot Springs metropolitan area, the median physician assistant salary grew 21.0% from $101,388 (2019) to $122,720 (2025). At a 3.32% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $131,004 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,616 (29.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hot Springs 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) | $97,513 – $126,794 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,794 – $126,794 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,794 – $138,676 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,676 – $164,361 |
PA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physician assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physician Assistant Job Market in Hot Springs
In Hot Springs, the job market features approximately 30 physician assistants actively working in the area, creating a close-knit community that can benefit from regional collaboration. The cost of living index is notably low at 85.73, allowing for greater purchasing power for physician assistants compared to many other markets. Typically, higher salaries are found in hospital systems and surgical specialty practices, where first-assist roles drive compensation upward through additional billing avenues. The variation in pay stems from specialties, case volume, and the structure of employment—whether in hospital settings or as independent contractors. Maximizing earnings in this market may involve pursuing niche certifications in high-demand specialties while negotiating for RVU productivity bonuses and better call coverage conditions. The focus on optimal practice and collaboration remains essential for physician assistants looking to thrive in this vibrant healthcare community.
More salary data for Hot Springs, 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 $122,720 for physician assistantsin the Hot Springs 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, 2-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