How Much Does a CNA Make in Arkansas in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Arkansas, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Arkansas · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Arkansas earns about $16.55 per hour ($34,430 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That's about 19% below the national figure of $20.32 an hour, and Arkansas ranks 48th out of 51 states for CNA pay. Around 17,260 CNAs work across the state, providing steady demand for the role even at these lower wages.
How much does a CNA make in Arkansas?
CNA pay by career stage in Arkansas
| Career stage | Arkansas | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $28,840$13.87 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $30,200$14.52 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $34,430$16.55 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $36,070$17.34 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $39,020$18.76 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in Arkansas
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Arkansas · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Arkansas CNA pay has climbed steadily over the past decade, rising from $21,660 in 2015 to $34,430 in 2025, a 59% rise that added $12,770 to the yearly figure. The national increase over the same stretch ran slightly higher, at 64%. For someone starting out now, that trend points to pay that has been moving upward over time, though nothing is guaranteed going forward.
CNA salary by city in Arkansas
Pay runs highest in the Fayetteville metro area, where CNAs earn typical pay of $35,820 a year ($17.22 an hour). These figures cover each city's full metro area, so Fayetteville includes Springdale and Rogers. Conway and Little Rock follow closely at $35,370, with Jonesboro close behind at $35,210. Fort Smith and Hot Springs pay less, with Hot Springs the lowest in the state at $29,940, a gap of $5,880 between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas. Much of that gap tracks the local cost of living, the same pattern seen nationwide.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Arkansas | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayetteville metro incl. Springdale · Rogers | $35,820 | $17.22 | +4% | 2,320 |
| 2 | Little Rock metro incl. North Little Rock · Conway | $35,370 | $17.00 | +3% | 5,250 |
| 3 | Jonesboro | $35,210 | $16.93 | +2% | 1,050 |
| 4 | Fort Smith | $32,020 | $15.39 | -7% | 1,580 |
| 5 | Hot Springs | $29,940 | $14.39 | -13% | 810 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Arkansas typical pay $34,430
How Arkansas compares with nearby states
Arkansas pay trails most of its neighbors. Tennessee pays the most nearby, about 10% higher than Arkansas, and Missouri and Texas both run about 9% higher. Mississippi and Louisiana pay less, with Louisiana about 11% below Arkansas. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so it's worth knowing how pay compares across the border.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Arkansas |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | $34,430 | baseline |
| Tennessee | $37,990 | +10% |
| Missouri | $37,680 | +9% |
| Texas | $37,500 | +9% |
| Oklahoma | $35,930 | +4% |
| Mississippi | $31,520 | -8% |
| Louisiana | $30,510 | -11% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Arkansas a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in Arkansas earn less than in most states: typical pay is $34,430 a year, 19% below the national figure, ranking 48th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Arkansas, about 13 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. That makes the local economy more reliant on CNAs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Pay trails the national figure here, but demand does not: CNAs make up a larger share of Arkansas's workforce than in most states.
Summary
CNA pay in Arkansas now stands at $34,430 a year ($16.55 an hour), up 59% over the past decade. That puts the state below the national figure, though pay has moved up over time. For certification requirements, check Arkansas's state registry page; for pay in a specific city, the city pages break down local figures in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Arkansas?
- A CNA in Arkansas earns about **$16.55 an hour**, or **$34,430 a year**. That's below the national figure of $42,260 a year, though pay varies by city, with Fayetteville and Little Rock paying more than smaller markets like Hot Springs.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Arkansas?
- CNAs in Arkansas typically earn about **$16.55 an hour**. Entry-level positions typically offer around $13.87 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of **$18.76 an hour** in the state.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Arkansas?
- Entry-level CNAs in Arkansas typically start around **$13.87 an hour**, or about **$28,840 a year**. Pay rises with experience, with typical pay reaching $16.55 an hour and experienced CNAs often earning upwards of $18.76 an hour.
- Which city in Arkansas pays CNAs the most?
- **Fayetteville** pays CNAs the most in Arkansas, with typical pay of **$35,820 a year** ($17.22 an hour), a figure shared with the Springdale and Rogers metro area. Conway and Little Rock follow closely at $35,370. Hot Springs pays the least, at $29,940 a year.
- Is CNA pay in Arkansas higher than the national rate?
- No. CNA pay in Arkansas runs about **19% below** the national figure of $20.32 an hour, with Arkansas's typical pay at **$16.55 an hour**. Arkansas ranks 48th out of 51 states for CNA pay.