Nurse Practitioner Salary in Arkansas: $131,090 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse practitioner pay sits at $131,090/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1171. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $150,852 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rogers ($129,464), Springdale ($129,372), Fort Smith ($129,270).
In Arkansas, the projected average median salary for nurse practitioners in 2026 is $131,090, which is 4.2% lower than the national median of $136,864. The highest salaries are expected in Rogers at $133,931, while Van Buren has the lowest at $121,722, indicating a salary range difference of $12,209. Factors driving this difference include varying costs of living, local demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas compared to smaller towns. Arkansas has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact nurse practitioners. The state allows nurse practitioners to practice independently, which can enhance job opportunities. Demand for healthcare providers, particularly in rural areas, is growing, contributing to a projected job growth rate of 3.45% annually through 2026. The total employment for nurse practitioners in Arkansas stands at 2,851, with key cities projected for strong salaries including Springdale at $133,835, Fort Smith at $133,730, Fayetteville at $131,775, and Texarkana at $131,227. As healthcare needs evolve, the job market for nurse practitioners in Arkansas is positioned for continued growth and opportunity.
Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $94,082 (lowest entry-level) to $222,718 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas nurse practitioners earn 4.22% less than the national median ($-5,774/year difference).
Arkansas Nurse Practitioner Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Practitioner salaries in Arkansas range from $103,102 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $198,004 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $131,090. The Arkansas median is $5,774 below the US national median of $136,864. The average hourly rate is $63.02/hr. Approximately 2,851 nurse practitioners are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$102,513
2025 BLS Actual
$126,718
2026 Current Est.
$131,090
2019–2027 Growth
+32.3%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $102,513 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,226 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,082 | Actual |
| 2022 | $103,419 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,721 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,796 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,718 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,090 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,613 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 23.6% from $102,513 (2019) to $126,718 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,613 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,100 (32.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Van Buren | $121,722 |
| Bryant | $123,911 |
| Searcy | $124,848 |
| Cabot | $126,167 |
| Russellville | $126,737 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Practitioners in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse practitioners.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith | $133,730 | 85.888 | $155,703 |
| Rogers | $133,931 | 86.9 | $154,121 |
| Springdale | $133,835 | 86.9 | $154,010 |
| Jonesboro | $131,133 | 85.876 | $152,700 |
| Texarkana | $131,227 | 86.9 | $151,009 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $103,102 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $131,090 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $198,004 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rogers | $133,931 |
| 2 | Springdale | $133,835 |
| 3 | Fort Smith | $133,730 |
| 4 | Fayetteville | $131,775 |
| 5 | Texarkana | $131,227 |
| 6 | Jonesboro | $131,133 |
| 7 | Little Rock | $131,050 |
| 8 | Jacksonville | $130,186 |
| 9 | Bentonville | $129,546 |
| 10 | North Little Rock | $129,116 |
| 11 | Benton | $128,466 |
| 12 | Conway | $128,267 |
| 13 | Paragould | $128,100 |
| 14 | Pine Bluff | $127,998 |
| 15 | Sherwood | $127,408 |
| 16 | Hot Springs | $127,181 |
| 17 | Russellville | $126,737 |
| 18 | Cabot | $126,167 |
| 19 | Searcy | $124,848 |
| 20 | Bryant | $123,911 |
| 21 | Van Buren | $121,722 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse practitioner hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse practitioners.
Explore More Nurse Practitioner Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse practitioners in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas nurse practitioner pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse practitioner salary in Arkansas?
How many nurse practitioners are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for nurse practitioners?
Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse practitioner compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse practitionerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov