Nursing Assistant salary in Arkansas
Nursing Assistants in Arkansas earn a median of $34,430 a year ($16.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 17,260 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,020 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $42,260. Arkansas ranks 48th of 51 states for nursing assistants pay. There are 13 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,970, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,840 | $13.87 |
| 25th percentile | $30,200 | $14.52 |
| Median | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| 75th percentile | $36,070 | $17.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,020 | $18.76 |
| Average (mean) | $33,970 | $16.33 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,869.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,434.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,324.23 |
| Weekly | $662.12 |
| Hourly | $16.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38,010 | 4,930 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $35,820 | 2,320 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $35,370 | 5,250 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $35,210 | 1,050 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $32,880 | 820 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $32,020 | 1,580 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $29,940 | 810 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $27,660 | $13.30 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Orderly | $31,540 | $15.16 |
| Medical Assistant | $37,760 | $18.15 |
| Dental Assistant | $42,830 | $20.59 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $64,520 | $31.02 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,570 | $16.62 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,450 | $18.01 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Massage Therapist | $39,990 | $19.23 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $35,100 | $16.87 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $29,450 | $14.16 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Arkansas?
The median salary for nursing assistants in Arkansas is $34,430 a year, or $16.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in Arkansas earn at least $39,020 a year. The top 25% earn $36,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,840 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $30,200 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Arkansas?
About 17,260 nursing assistants are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.