Registered Nurses Salary in Arkansas

Registered nurses in Arkansas earn the most in Little Rock (average $85,890 a year) and the least in Fort Smith ($77,970), across the 5 Arkansas metro areas we cover. Statewide, BLS puts the registered nurses average at $81,520 and the median at $78,940 for 29,400 workers. The U.S. average for this job is $101,420.

Registered Nurses average salary by city in Arkansas

Little Rock$85,890
Hot Springs$83,440
Fayetteville$83,300
Jonesboro$81,950
Fort Smith$77,970

Pay, take-home pay and cost of living

City	Average	Median	25th pct.	Take-home*	Cost of living
Little Rock	$85,890	$81,070	$74,770	$66,564	89
Hot Springs	$83,440	$78,590	$66,630	$64,930	86
Fayetteville	$83,300	$77,910	$73,880	$64,837	91
Jonesboro	$81,950	$78,940	$68,800	$63,937	86
Fort Smith	$77,970	$79,870	$68,140	$61,285	86

*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; Arkansas tax is estimated with the Department of Finance and Administration's 2026 withholding formula. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.

Registered Nurses salary in other states

Registered Nurses salary by city and state

More about pay in Arkansas

Sources and how to read this page

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1141.
U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.

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