How much is the registered nurse vs nurse practitioner pay gap in Arkansas?

The reported gap in Arkansas is about $46,720 a year, or roughly 59% more for nurse practitioners. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.

Are these Arkansas figures exact?

They're the median wages actually reported for Arkansas — meaning half of nurses in the role earn more and half earn less. A median is a real measured midpoint, not a prediction of your offer: your pay moves with experience, specialty, shift, overtime, and employer.

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.

Arkansas · AR

Registered Nurse vs Nurse Practitioner salary in Arkansas

In Arkansas, nurse practitioners earn more — an estimated $125,660 a year versus $78,940 for registered nurses, a gap of about $46,720 (roughly 59% more). Both are estimates based on national pay for each role adjusted for Arkansas.

Registered Nurse — Arkansas

Verified public wage data

Median annual pay

$78,940

-19% vs national

Hourly

$37.95/hr

Median $78,940

$60,780Middle 50%: $66,640–$90,280$103,660

Typical range: $66,640–$90,280; What most nurses earn
High end: $103,660; Top earners
Entry level: $60,780; Newer nurses

Nurse Practitioner — Arkansas

Verified public wage data

Median annual pay

$125,660

-5% vs national

Hourly

$60.41/hr

Median $125,660

$99,420Middle 50%: $105,450–$137,550$205,810

Typical range: $105,450–$137,550; What most nurses earn
High end: $205,810; Top earners
Entry level: $99,420; Newer nurses

Why the gap in Arkansas

Nurse Practitioners — advanced practice nurses who diagnose and prescribe — earn well above staff RNs. The Arkansas figures apply the same local pay adjustment to both roles, so the gap here mirrors the national picture, shifted for Arkansas's cost of labor. Actual pay varies with experience, specialty, shift, and employer — compare the national Registered Nurse vs Nurse Practitioner comparison or personalize the calculator.

Registered Nurse vs Nurse Practitioner in Arkansas — FAQ

Do registered nurses or nurse practitioners earn more in Arkansas?: In Arkansas, nurse practitioners earn more — $125,660 a year versus $78,940 for registered nurses, a gap of about $46,720 (roughly 59% more). Both are median wages reported for Arkansas in official public wage data.
How much is the registered nurse vs nurse practitioner pay gap in Arkansas?: The reported gap in Arkansas is about $46,720 a year, or roughly 59% more for nurse practitioners. Your actual pay depends on experience, specialty, shift, and employer — use the calculator to compare both for your situation.
Are these Arkansas figures exact?: They're the median wages actually reported for Arkansas — meaning half of nurses in the role earn more and half earn less. A median is a real measured midpoint, not a prediction of your offer: your pay moves with experience, specialty, shift, overtime, and employer.
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— A verified figure from official U.S. public wage data.

BLS OEWS (May 2025, state)

Arkansas figures are published directly by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Arkansas (May 2025). They are not estimated or adjusted.

Source year 2025. Last reviewed July 17, 2026. Full methodology

Estimated figures for Arkansas. Last reviewed July 17, 2026.