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verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Salary in Arkansas

Median Annual in Arkansas
$34,430/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$16.55/hr
▼ 19% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Arkansas

groups Employed in AR
17,260
public U.S. Median
$42,260
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$39,603 #45 of 51

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in Arkansas, explained

Certified nursing assistants in Arkansas earn a median of $34,430 per year ($16.55 per hour), which is 19% below the national median of $42,260. Entry-level workers earn around $28,840, while the most experienced certified nursing assistants reach about $39,020. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Arkansas.

Is $34,430 good pay in Arkansas?

Adjusted for Arkansas's cost of living (which runs 87% of the U.S. average), that $34,430 is worth about $39,603 in national buying power — ranking Arkansas #45 for real pay (vs #48 on the sticker number).

See the full Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay by experience in Arkansas

Entry level (10th pct)
$28,840
$13.87/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$34,430
$16.55/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$39,020
$18.76/hr

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs AR
Arkansas (here) $34,430 $39,603 —
Tennessee $37,990 $41,352 −$3,560
Missouri $37,680 $41,490 −$3,250
Texas $37,500 $38,637 −$3,070
Oklahoma $35,930 $40,903 −$1,500
Mississippi $31,520 $36,249 +$2,910
Louisiana $30,510 $34,589 +$3,920

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) in Arkansas: FAQ

How much do certified nursing assistants make in Arkansas?

Certified nursing assistants in Arkansas earn a median of $34,430 per year ($16.55 per hour), compared with $42,260 nationally.

Does Arkansas pay certified nursing assistants well?

At $34,430, Arkansas pays 19% below the national median for certified nursing assistants. An estimated 17,260 work in the state.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) salary in other states

Oregon · $49,830 Washington · $49,180 New York · $48,590 New Hampshire · $47,870 District of Columbia · $47,700 California · $47,630 Colorado · $47,380 Vermont · $47,130 Maine · $47,070 New Jersey · $46,830 Massachusetts · $46,680 Minnesota · $46,680

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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