Registered Nurse salary in Arkansas
Registered Nurses in Arkansas earn a median of $78,940 a year ($37.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 29,400 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,660 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $97,550. Arkansas ranks 47th of 51 states for registered nurses pay. There are 23 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $81,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,780 | $29.22 |
| 25th percentile | $66,640 | $32.04 |
| Median | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| 75th percentile | $90,280 | $43.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,660 | $49.84 |
| Average (mean) | $81,520 | $39.19 |
Half of registered nurses 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 | $6,578.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,289.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,036.15 |
| Weekly | $1,518.08 |
| Hourly | $37.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $81,500 | 13,760 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $81,070 | 11,550 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $80,610 | 1,760 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $79,870 | 2,180 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $78,940 | 1,990 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $78,590 | 1,160 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $77,910 | 4,870 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $136,880 | $65.81 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,660 | $60.41 |
| Pharmacist | $136,060 | $65.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,010 | $47.60 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $83,580 | $40.18 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,360 | $51.14 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,760 | $41.71 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $73,870 | $35.51 |
| Dentists, General | $178,930 | $86.02 |
| Physician Assistant | $118,430 | $56.94 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,540 | $31.51 |
| Veterinarian | $107,710 | $51.79 |
| Therapists, All Other | $61,920 | $29.77 |
| Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $262,470 | $126.19 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in Arkansas?
The median salary for registered nurses in Arkansas is $78,940 a year, or $37.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $103,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of registered nurses in Arkansas earn at least $103,660 a year. The top 25% earn $90,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,780 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $66,640 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Arkansas?
About 29,400 registered nurses are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.