Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in Arkansas 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
Registered Nurse Salary in Arkansas (2026): City-by-City Pay Data
The average registered nurse salary in Arkansas in 2026 is $62,500/year ($30.05/hour) based on BLS Occupational Employment Statistics and compensation data from Baptist Health, UAMS Medical Center, CHI St. Vincent, and other major Arkansas health systems. While Arkansas salaries rank in the lower tier nationally, cost of living is among the lowest in the country, preserving real purchasing power.
RN Salary by City in Arkansas
| City / Metro | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | $65,500 | UAMS, Baptist Health, CHI St. Vincent — state capital + largest medical hub |
| NW Arkansas (Fayetteville / Bentonville) | $63,000 | Washington Regional Medical, Mercy NW AR — fastest-growing region in state |
| Jonesboro | $60,500 | St. Bernards Medical Center, NEA Baptist — NE Arkansas regional hub |
| Fort Smith | $59,500 | Mercy Hospital Fort Smith, Sparks Regional — AR-OK border market |
| Pine Bluff | $58,000 | Jefferson Regional — rural supplement programs available |
| Texarkana (AR side) | $60,000 | Wadley Regional — border market with TX differential |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Arkansas
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $182,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $73,000 |
| Emergency RN | $70,500 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $68,000 |
| Oncology RN | $66,500 |
| L&D / Perinatal RN | $66,000 |
| Med-Surg RN | $61,500 |
Top Arkansas Healthcare Employers for RNs
- Baptist Health — largest non-profit health system in Arkansas; 9 hospitals statewide including flagship Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock
- UAMS Medical Center — University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; academic medical center with specialty nursing and research roles
- CHI St. Vincent — Catholic Health Initiative system; Little Rock and Hot Springs campuses
- Washington Regional Medical Center — Northwest Arkansas; non-profit community system in the state's fastest-growing market
- St. Bernards Medical Center — Jonesboro regional referral; strong cardiology and oncology programs
- Mercy Hospital Northwest Arkansas — Fayetteville/Rogers; system benefits and travel nursing opportunities
Compact License Status
Arkansas is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), effective January 1, 2021. RNs with a multistate license issued from another NLC compact state can practice in Arkansas without a separate Arkansas license. This makes Arkansas an excellent add-on for nurses already licensed in neighboring compact states (Tennessee, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Mississippi).
Arkansas RN Job Market Outlook
Arkansas faces persistent rural nursing shortages — over 60% of the state's counties are designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs). Rural hospitals offer sign-on bonuses of $8,000–$15,000, NHSC loan repayment, and relocation packages. Travel RN rates in Little Rock run $1,600–$2,200/week. While base wages are below the national average, Arkansas's cost of living (ranked among the lowest 5 states) partially offsets the differential — mortgage costs and everyday expenses are significantly lower than in coastal markets.
How to Maximize Your RN Salary in Arkansas
- Target UAMS specialty units: Academic medical center roles in transplant, oncology, and neurology pay 10–15% above community hospital rates
- Consider NW Arkansas: Bentonville/Fayetteville is the fastest-growing metro in the state, creating competition for nurses and pushing wages toward $63K+
- Use compact license for multi-state flexibility: AR compact license lets you pick up travel contracts in TX, TN, MO, and OK without additional license fees
- Rural NHSC/HRSA programs: Nurses in rural HPSAs can qualify for $25,000–$50,000 in loan repayment through NHSC Scholar or LRP programs
- Night and weekend differentials: Arkansas hospitals typically offer $3–$6/hour differentials for non-day shifts
Related: RN Salary Tennessee 2026, RN Salary Missouri 2026, Arkansas RN License Guide.
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