Registered Nurse salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Registered Nurses in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $79,870 a year ($38.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,180 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,500 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $97,550. Pay here is 1% higher than the Arkansas statewide median of $78,940. There are 23 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,970, close to the median.
Pay range for registered nurses in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,540 | $28.15 |
| 25th percentile | $68,140 | $32.76 |
| Median | $79,870 | $38.40 |
| 75th percentile | $82,930 | $39.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,500 | $47.36 |
| Average (mean) | $77,970 | $37.49 |
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 | $6,655.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,327.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,071.92 |
| Weekly | $1,535.96 |
| Hourly | $38.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa, OK | $84,790 | 10,880 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $82,920 | 16,530 |
| 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 |
| Lawton, OK | $80,570 | 990 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $78,940 | 1,990 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $78,590 | 1,160 |
| Enid, OK | $78,060 | 810 |
| 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 |
See Registered Nurse pay in every state or the Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,270 | $62.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $258,130 | $124.10 |
| Pharmacist | $133,520 | $64.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,730 | $47.47 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,480 | $40.62 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,300 | $39.09 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,740 | $46.99 |
| Dentists, General | $165,060 | $79.36 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,080 | $37.54 |
| Physician Assistant | $119,840 | $57.61 |
| Therapists, All Other | $70,520 | $33.90 |
| Optometrist | $109,200 | $52.50 |
| Veterinarian | $104,110 | $50.06 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $55,880 | $26.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
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 Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for registered nurses in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $79,870 a year, or $38.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of registered nurses in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $98,500 a year. The top 25% earn $82,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,540 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $68,140 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 2,180 registered nurses are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.