How Much Does an NP Make in Arkansas in 2026?

A typical NP in Arkansas earns about $60.41 per hour ($125,660 per year), per the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $10,472 a month or $2,417 a week, figures calculated from the annual figure. Pay varies by city, employer, and experience, but this figure represents the typical wage across the state. It gives a starting point for anyone weighing a nursing career move to Arkansas.

Arkansas NP pay sits about 5% below the national figures of $63.61 an hour and $132,300 a year. Among the 50 states and D.C., Arkansas ranks 44th for NP pay. The state employs about 3,970 NPs, compared with 323,040 nationwide. Lower pay in Arkansas tracks with the state's lower cost of living compared to higher-paying regions.

Entry-level positions in Arkansas typically offer around $47.80 an hour, or about $99,420 a year, for NPs just starting out. Some new hires may fall in a similar range near $105,450 a year as they gain initial experience. Pay tends to move toward the typical wage of $125,660 a year within the first several years on the job. Location and setting also play a role in how quickly pay rises.

Experienced NPs in Arkansas often earn upwards of $137,550 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $98.95 an hour, or over $205,810 a year. That's a spread of $106,390 between entry-level and top pay. The gap usually comes down to years of experience, practice setting, and which city an NP works in.

Arkansas NP pay has risen steadily over the past decade, from $91,510 in 2015 to $125,660 in 2025. That's a gain of $34,150, or 37%, over ten years. Pay dipped slightly in 2016 and again in 2021 before resuming its climb. The most recent jump, from $113,660 in 2024 to $125,660 in 2025, was the sharpest single-year increase in the decade.

Nationally, NP pay rose 35% over the same ten years, close to what Arkansas recorded. Someone starting an NP career in Arkansas today enters a field where pay has moved up substantially compared with a decade ago. That does not guarantee future increases, but it reflects a consistent upward trend.

Fort Smith pays NPs the most in Arkansas, with a typical wage of $129,270 a year ($62.15 an hour), about 3% above the statewide figure. Springdale, Rogers, and Fayetteville follow closely behind at $127,380 a year. Jonesboro sits near $126,760 a year. These figures reflect each city's full metro area, not just the city center.

Hot Springs pays the least among Arkansas cities tracked, with NPs typically earning $122,940 a year ($59.11 an hour). That puts the spread between the highest- and lowest-paying cities at $6,330. Conway, Little Rock, and North Little Rock together hold the largest NP workforce in the state, with 1,360 employed at a typical wage of $126,680 a year. Pay differences between cities often track differences in local living costs.

Arkansas NP pay trails most nearby states. Oklahoma pays the most, at $133,390 a year (6% higher), followed by Texas at $131,670 (5% higher) and Missouri at $129,930 (3% higher). Louisiana runs about even at $125,600 a year. Mississippi and Tennessee pay less, at $124,730 and $117,590 a year. NP licensure can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, widening job options nearby.

NPs in Arkansas typically earn $125,660 a year, up 37% from $91,510 a decade ago. Pay in the state runs a bit below the national figure but has climbed steadily year over year. Anyone weighing a move into or within Arkansas should check the state licensing or nursing registry page for current requirements, and review city-level pages for local pay figures before deciding where to practice.