Nurse Practitioner Salary in Van Buren, AR: $121,722 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse practitioner in Van Buren, AR earns a median $121,722/year (≈ $58.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1171). Once you factor in Van Buren's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $140,071 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the nurse practitioner salary in Van Buren, AR, is projected to be $121,722, significantly lagging behind the national median of $136,864. This figure reflects a substantial salary range from $102,247 at the 10th percentile to $155,212 at the 90th percentile, indicating variability that often aligns with specialization and experience within the field. Nurse practitioners specializing in psychiatric mental health (PMHNP) tend to command higher salaries due to increased demand in mental health services, followed by acute care (AGACNP) and family practice (FNP). These salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected into 2026 while accounting for regional cost adjustments, highlighting the unique job requirements and market conditions present in Van Buren.
About the Van Buren Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($113,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,247 | $49.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $113,251 | $54.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $121,722 | $58.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $143,003 | $68.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,212 | $74.62 |
Median Salary Position
11.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Van Buren
In Van Buren, AR, the nurse practitioner salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,965 (2026 est.). At $121,722, the local median is 11.06% below the national median of $136,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Van Buren: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Van Buren Nurse Practitioner Pay Compares
Van Buren median: $121,722/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Van Buren Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $131,166 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $136,864 | -11.06% less |
Nurse Practitioners in Van Buren, AR earn a median of $121,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.06% lower than the national median of $136,864 and 7.20% below the Arkansas state average of $131,166.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Van Buren has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Van Buren, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A nurse practitioner earning $121,722 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $140,071 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$97,670
2025 BLS Actual
$117,663
2026 Current Est.
$121,722
2019–2027 Growth
+28.9%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Van Buren (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $97,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $99,324 | Actual |
| 2021 | $107,329 | Actual |
| 2022 | $108,156 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,291 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,150 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,663 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $121,722 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,922 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Van Buren metropolitan area, the median nurse practitioner salary grew 20.5% from $97,670 (2019) to $117,663 (2025). At a 3.45% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,922 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,252 (28.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Van Buren 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $102,247 – $113,251 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $113,251 – $121,722 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $121,722 – $143,003 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $143,003 – $155,212 |
NP salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse practitioner compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Practitioner Job Market in Van Buren
Currently, Van Buren employs five nurse practitioners, emphasizing a tightly knit community with specialized roles that drive individual compensation. The cost of living index in this area stands at 86.9, suggesting that despite lower salaries compared to national averages, take-home pay offers a reasonable purchasing power relative to living expenses. Among local employers, hospital outpatient clinics and urgent care chains may provide higher wages due to the complexity and volume of cases they handle. Factors like state full-practice authority and specialty focus will influence the compensation spread, with PMHNP positions typically bringing in the highest compensation packages. Aspiring nurse practitioners in Van Buren can maximize their pay by gaining specialized certifications, considering flexibilities such as 1099 telehealth opportunities, and negotiating for productivity-based bonuses that align with their qualifications and market demand.
More salary data for Van Buren, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $117,663 for nurse practitionersin the Van Buren metropolitan area. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Van Buren is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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