CNA Salary

Fayetteville vs Springdale: Certified Nursing Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare certified nursing assistant salaries between Fayetteville, AR and Springdale, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fayetteville, AR
$38,148
$18.34/hr
Springdale, AR
$38,745
$18.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFayetteville, ARSpringdale, AR
Median Salary$38,148$38,745
Hourly Rate$18.34$18.63
Entry Level (P10)$32,174$30,678
25th Percentile$35,070$33,541
75th Percentile$39,448$43,335
Top Earner (P90)$43,857$47,443
Total Employed2,32014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fayetteville ($38,148) and Springdale ($38,745) certified nursing assistant salaries.FayettevilleSpringdaleMedian Salary$38,148$38,745Entry Level (P10)$32,174$30,678Top Earner (P90)$43,857$47,443US Median $45,007

Verdict

Springdale, AR offers better overall compensation for certified nursing assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fayetteville.

The salary gap between Fayetteville and Springdale is $597 (1.56%). Springdale's median is -13.91% compared to the US national median of $45,007.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fayetteville spans $11,683,Springdale spans $16,765. Springdale has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced certified nursing assistants.

Fayetteville
P10 (Entry)$32,174
P25$35,070
Median$38,148
P75$39,448
P90 (Top)$43,857
Springdale
P10 (Entry)$30,678
P25$33,541
Median$38,745
P75$43,335
P90 (Top)$47,443

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springdale ($44,586 effective) pays 6.77% more than Fayetteville ($41,759 effective).

Fayetteville
Nominal: $38,148
CoL Index: 91.353
Adjusted: $41,759
Springdale
Nominal: $38,745
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $44,586

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fayetteville if…

  • Larger job market (2,320 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Springdale if…

  • Higher median salary ($38,745/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($47,443)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,586)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, certified nursing assistant salaries in Fayetteville grew 33.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 38.8% growth in Springdale over the same period.

Fayetteville, AR

+33.4%

$26,860 (2019) → $35,820 (2025)

Springdale, AR

+38.8%

$26,213 (2024) → $36,380 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays certified nursing assistants more: Fayetteville or Springdale?

Springdale has a higher median certified nursing assistant salary at $38,745/year, compared to Fayetteville at $38,148/year — a difference of $597 (1.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fayetteville and Springdale?

Fayetteville certified nursing assistants earn $18.34/hr while Springdale hygienists earn $18.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fayetteville to Springdale as a certified nursing assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fayetteville and Springdale. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fayetteville = $41,759, Springdale = $44,586), job availability (2,320 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level certified nursing assistants earn in Fayetteville vs Springdale?

Entry-level (10th percentile) certified nursing assistants earn $32,174 in Fayetteville and $30,678 in Springdale. The Fayetteville area offers higher starting salaries.
EC

Written by Emily Chen, BSN, RN

Career Analyst

Emily has over 10 years of experience in nursing. She focuses on workforce trends in nursing. Emily has worked in various healthcare settings, including hospitals and long-term care facilities.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Rodriguez, CNAData verified by Sara Patel, RN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Emily Chen, BSN, RN, a licensed certified nursing assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov