Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Bentonville, AR: $37,045 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Bentonville, AR earns a median $37,045/year (≈ $17.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Bentonville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $42,629 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bentonville, Arkansas, the projected median annual salary for a certified nursing assistant in 2026 is $37,045. This figure falls significantly below the national median of $45,007, offering a lens into the local economy's recovery in the wake of the COVID pandemic. With salaries ranging from $28,279 at the 10th percentile to $43,950 at the 90th percentile, these estimates, derived from state-level BLS data, reflect adjustments based on regional cost of living. This wage reset indicates where Bentonville stands post-pandemic and highlights the important transition of the healthcare job market as it seeks to balance competitive pay against local economic factors.
About the Bentonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($30,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28,279 | $13.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,503 | $16.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,045 | $17.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40,701 | $19.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43,950 | $21.13 |
Median Salary Position
17.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bentonville
In Bentonville, AR, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,671 (2026 est.). At $37,045, the local median is 17.69% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Bentonville: You'd be above the median
How Bentonville Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Bentonville median: $37,045/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bentonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $37,495 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -17.69% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Bentonville, AR earn a median of $37,045 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.69% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.20% below the Arkansas state average of $37,495.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bentonville 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.
Bentonville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $37,045 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,629 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$24,413
2025 BLS Actual
$34,784
2026 Current Est.
$37,045
2019–2027 Growth
+61.6%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Bentonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,413 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,392 | Actual |
| 2021 | $24,948 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,434 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,442 | Actual |
| 2024 | $25,755 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,784 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,045 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39,453 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bentonville metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 42.5% from $24,413 (2019) to $34,784 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,453 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,040 (61.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bentonville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $28,279 – $33,503 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,503 – $37,045 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,045 – $40,701 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $40,701 – $43,950 |
CNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual certified nursing assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Certified Nursing Assistant Job Market in Bentonville
The job market in Bentonville currently employs only 12 certified nursing assistants, reflecting a tighter labor pool in this area. The cost of living index in Bentonville sits at 86.9, which is below the national average, suggesting a favorable living situation relative to earnings. Among the various employing organizations, skilled nursing facilities often offer some of the most competitive pay. The disparity in salary among CNAs can be attributed to multiple factors, including shift differentials—where night shifts can earn an additional $2-4 per hour and weekends yield a $1-3 premium. Positioning oneself in high-demand settings such as rehabilitation hospitals or hospice care can also enhance earning potential. To maximize pay in Bentonville, pursuing certifications like CMA or targeting premium roles that offer bonuses for weekend or holiday shifts could be advantageous pathways for certified nursing assistants.
More salary data for Bentonville, 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
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 $34,784 for certified nursing assistantsin the Bentonville metropolitan area. A 6.50% 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 Bentonville 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 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