Registered Nurse salary in Arkansas
A registered nurse in Arkansas earns an estimated $80,970 a year ($38.93/hr) — about 17% below the U.S. average, with most between $66,670 and $93,250. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Registered Nurse — Arkansas
EstimatedMedian annual pay
$80,970
-17% vs nationalHourly
$38.93/hr
- Typical range
- $66,670–$93,250
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $114,100
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $57,220
- Newer nurses
Registered Nurse pay by city in Arkansas
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | $82,920 | $39.87 |
Registered Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How Arkansas compares to states with similar registered nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in Arkansas
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects registered nurse pay in Arkansas
Lower cost of living; pay below the national median. For a registered nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
The Arkansas figure adjusts the national RN average of $97,550 for local pay levels — a factor of 0.83× (about 17% below the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official Arkansas wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official state wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for Arkansas, based on national pay and local cost of living until official state data is loaded — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Arkansas make this page more precise over time.
Registered Nurse salary in Arkansas — FAQ
- How much does a registered nurse make in Arkansas?
- A registered nurse in Arkansas earns an estimated $80,970 a year — about $38.93 an hour, with most between $66,670 and $93,250. That's about 17% below the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and Arkansas's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is Arkansas a good state for registered nurses?
- For pay, Arkansas sits about 17% below the national average for registered nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $80,970 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Arkansas pays registered nurses the most?
- Among Arkansas metros we track, Little Rock tends to have the highest estimated pay for registered nurses, at roughly $82,920 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Arkansas registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national figure for a registered nurse is about $97,550 a year, versus an estimated $80,970 in Arkansas — about 17% below the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate based on national nurse pay and local cost of living. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)
Arkansas figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 0.83×).
Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 3, 2026. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national registered nurse pay adjusted for Arkansas. Last reviewed July 3, 2026.