Last Updated: May 2026

Arkansas RN Salary 2026: Pay, UAMS Rates & Rural Loan Repayment

Name: US Nurse Salary Data by State and Specialty 2026
Creator: NurseSalaryIntel
License: https://nursesalaryintel.com

Arkansas RNs earn an average of $67,010/year ($32.22/hr)in 2026 — among the lower nominal salaries nationally, but in one of the most medically underserved states in the country. Arkansas's widespread rural Health Professional Shortage Area designations create access to some of the most generous loan repayment programs available anywhere — NHSC awards of up to $50,000 tax-free can dramatically change the financial calculus for nurses with significant federal loans. Little Rock's UAMS (the state's academic medical center) and Arkansas Children's Hospital anchor the highest-paying end of the market.

Arkansas RN Salary by City (2026)

Metro Area	Avg. Annual Salary	Avg. Hourly Rate
Little Rock	$71,000–$79,000	$34.13–$37.98/hr
Fayetteville	$66,000–$74,000	$31.73–$35.58/hr
Jonesboro	$65,000–$73,000	$31.25–$35.10/hr
Fort Smith	$65,000–$73,000	$31.25–$35.10/hr
State Average	$67,010	$32.22/hr

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 + NurseSalaryIntel 2026 projections

Arkansas RN Salary by Experience Level

AR RN Salary by Years of Experience (2026)

Experience Level	Annual Salary Range	Hourly Rate
New Grad (0–1 yr)	$53,000–$58,000	$25.48–$27.88/hr
Early Career (2–4 yrs)	$60,000–$68,000	$28.85–$32.69/hr
Mid-Career (5–9 yrs)	$68,000–$77,000	$32.69–$37.02/hr
Senior (10+ yrs)	$77,000–$90,000	$37.02–$43.27/hr

Source: NurseSalaryIntel 2026 data

Rural Loan Repayment: Arkansas's Real Advantage

Arkansas has among the highest concentrations of HPSA-designated counties in the South. Nurses accepting positions at qualifying rural facilities — which includes many critical access hospitals across the Delta, Ozarks, and Ouachita regions — can access NHSC Loan Repayment (up to $50,000 tax-free over 2 years) and the NURSE Corps program. For a nurse with $80,000 in federal student loans, a rural Arkansas position with NHSC repayment effectively adds $25,000/year in tax-free value on top of base salary — bringing total compensation well above the nominal headline rate. The Arkansas Rural Health Partnership administers additional state-level incentive programs.

Night Shift Pay in Arkansas

Arkansas hospitals offer night shift differentials of 10–16% above base pay. On the $67,010 state average, nights add $6,701–$10,722/year. UAMS and Baptist Health both offer structured differential packages for specialty night shift nurses. See our complete night shift differential guide →

Travel Nursing in Arkansas

Travel RN assignments in Arkansas pay $1,700–$2,300/week. UAMS Medical Center and Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock are the primary travel markets. Rural critical access hospitals throughout the Delta and Ozarks post consistent openings — demand is persistent due to the state's chronic staffing shortages.

Travel Nurse Salary Guide →

Compare Arkansas to Neighboring States

Tennessee RN Salary →

No income tax, Nashville market

Oklahoma RN Salary →

Similar market, OKC vs. Little Rock

📊 Data Methodology

Salary figures on this page are 2026 estimates derived from the most recent available U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, based on the May 2024 survey and published in March 2025. Estimated ranges may also incorporate publicly available 2025 job postings, hospital pay schedules, regional market conditions, and reported compensation trends.

Official 2026 OEWS wage data has not yet been released. All salary figures on this page should be treated as informational estimates rather than official government statistics or guaranteed compensation rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do nurses make in Arkansas?

The average RN salary in Arkansas is $67,010/year ($32.22/hr) — below the national average, but with a very low cost of living (index ~85) and some of the most extensive rural loan repayment programs in the South. Little Rock nurses at UAMS and Arkansas Children's Hospital earn $71,000–$79,000.

What is the top-paying hospital in Arkansas?

UAMS (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences) in Little Rock is the state's academic anchor and the top-paying hospital, particularly for experienced specialty nurses. Arkansas Children's Hospital is the state's only pediatric Level 1 Trauma Center and offers competitive packages for pediatric specialty nurses. Baptist Health and CHI St. Vincent round out the Little Rock market.

Does Arkansas have rural nursing shortage incentives?

Yes — extensively. Arkansas has among the highest concentrations of Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) in the South. Nurses in qualifying rural facilities can access NHSC Loan Repayment (up to $50,000 tax-free for 2 years), the NURSE Corps program, and Arkansas Rural Health Partnership incentives. For nurses with $60,000+ in federal loans, rural Arkansas postings can deliver significantly better total compensation than the nominal salary suggests.

What is the nursing job outlook in Arkansas?

Strong and persistent. Arkansas's rural counties face some of the deepest healthcare workforce shortages in the country — driven by high rates of chronic disease, an aging population, and limited pipeline supply from in-state nursing programs. Urban Little Rock and Fayetteville markets are competitive but growing. Nursing demand is projected to outpace supply through at least 2030.