Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Little Rock, AR: $18.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Little Rock, AR runs $18.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $37,669 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Little Rock's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.26 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,595 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, certified nursing assistants (CNAs) in Little Rock, AR, can expect an hourly pay of $18.11, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $21.64. This figure reflects the local job market, where part-time positions, such as those working three days a week, may provide a steady income while allowing flexibility to work in various environments, including skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, and home health settings. The hourly pay range for CNAs in this area is projected to be between $15.09 at the entry level and $22.77 for those at the top of the scale. With a total of 5,250 employed CNAs in Little Rock, this official BLS data indicates a stable workforce complementing the city’s healthcare system.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.09 | $120.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.97 | $127.80 |
| Median (P50) | $18.11 | $144.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18.81 | $150.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.77 | $182.16 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Little Rock
Based on $18.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.11/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Little Rock, AR can expect to earn approximately $37,658 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,726. With a cost-of-living index of 89.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Little Rock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Little Rock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $724.20 | $3,138 | $37,658 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $434.52 | $1,883 | $22,595 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $289.68 | $1,255 | $15,063 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Little Rock) | $18.11 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $37,669 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.30% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 0.50% above the Arkansas state average of $37,482.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.11/hr = $22,595/year (purchasing power: $25,284).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $37,658/year (purchasing power: $42,140).
CoL index: 89.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Little Rock grew 27.5% from $13.33/hr (2019) to $17.00/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.28/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock 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 6.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Little Rock
With a part-time schedule of three days a week, a CNA can take home an annual income that might be lower compared to full-time employment, highlighting the importance of supplemental income opportunities. Many CNAs opt for per diem work, where they can earn substantially more; reputable agencies commonly pay between $22 and $32 per hour, and specialized weekend contracts can reach $30 to $45 per hour. Hourly rates can vary significantly based on the type of employer—hospitals and rehabilitation facilities often offer higher compensation than assisted living communities. Some CNAs trade off lower hourly rates for the benefits of consistent health insurance, which can be a crucial factor in their job decisions. Understanding how to negotiate hourly rates effectively can empower CNAs in Little Rock to pursue work that accommodates their financial and professional goals, especially in a competitive healthcare market shaped by staffing shortages and elevated wages post-COVID.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage 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 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Little Rock. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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 6.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for certified nursing assistants (SOC 31-1131).
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