RN Salary in Arkansas: $78,940 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in Arkansas earn a median of $78,940 per year — $37.95 an hour — $18,610 below the national median of $97,550, ranking #47 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Arkansas RNs earn between $60,780 and $103,660. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
Arkansas RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Arkansas RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare Arkansas With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put Arkansas side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | Arkansas | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $78,940 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $37.95/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $60,780 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $90,280 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $103,660 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 29,400 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
Arkansas has 83 board-approved nursing programs across 57 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Arkansas?
RNs in Arkansas earn a median of $78,940 per year — $37.95 per hour — $18,610 below the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Arkansas #47 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in Arkansas?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in Arkansas, the 10th percentile is $60,780 and the 25th percentile is $66,640. Most RNs move toward the $78,940 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in Arkansas earn?
The top 10% of RNs in Arkansas earn above $103,660 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in Arkansas?
29,400 registered nurses are employed in Arkansas per the BLS May 2025 estimates.