Registered Nurses in Arkansas. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Registered Nurses in Arkansas earned a median wage of $77,130 in 2024, about 18% below the US median of $94,511. That gap is real, but it does not tell the whole story.
Arkansas has a cost-of-living index of 88.3, meaning everyday expenses run roughly 12% below the national average. After accounting for what the money actually buys, the effective gap narrows to closer to 7%. A nurse relocating from a high-cost state will feel that difference less than the headline number suggests.
The spread between bottom and top earners is meaningful. Nurses at the 10th percentile earned $57,380 in 2024. Those at the 90th percentile earned $99,960, about 74% more. That range reflects the difference between new graduates in general medical-surgical roles and experienced nurses in specialty or supervisory positions. The 25th-to-75th-percentile band runs from $65,450 to $84,720, so most working nurses in the state landed in that narrower middle range.
BLS projects employment for Registered Nurses to grow 4.9% between 2024 and 2034, an average rate of change. With 28,320 nurses currently employed in Arkansas, even modest percentage growth translates to a steady stream of openings over the decade, both from expansion and from retirement-driven turnover in what is already a large occupation in the state.
Salary distribution
Where Arkansas registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $66,640 and $90,280, with a median of $78,940.
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Registered Nurses pay by experience level in Arkansas
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Arkansas over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Arkansas?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in Arkansas is $78,940.
- How does Arkansas compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Arkansas median is -19.7% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Arkansas?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $60,780 and the 90th-percentile at $103,660, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.