Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Fort Smith, AR: $34,101 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Fort Smith, AR earns a median $34,101/year (≈ $16.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Fort Smith's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $39,704 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.1% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, Arkansas, the estimated certified nursing assistant salary in 2026 is projected to reach $34,101. This figure places the local market significantly below the national median of $45,007, reflecting a competitive yet constrained wage environment influenced by recent economic shifts. Salaries for certified nursing assistants in this area range from $26,668 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $39,362 at the higher end (90th percentile), indicating a variable pay structure that reflects differing roles and responsibilities. The data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which highlight the ongoing adjustments in wages following the pandemic’s drastic effects on the healthcare labor market. As Fort Smith continues to recover, there may be opportunities for growth in this sector for dedicated professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26,668 | $12.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30,310 | $14.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $34,101 | $16.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37,147 | $17.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39,362 | $18.93 |
Median Salary Position
24.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Smith
In Fort Smith, AR, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,694 (2026 est.). At $34,101, the local median is 24.23% below the national median of $45,007.
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At 40 hours/week in Fort Smith: You'd be above the median
How Fort Smith Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Fort Smith median: $34,101/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Smith Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $37,515 | -9.10% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -24.23% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $34,101 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.23% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 9.10% below the Arkansas state average of $37,515.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Smith has a cost of living 14.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Smith, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.888 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $34,101 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $39,704 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$24,160
2025 BLS Actual
$32,020
2026 Current Est.
$34,101
2019–2027 Growth
+50.3%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $31,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $32,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,101 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36,318 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Smith metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 32.5% from $24,160 (2019) to $32,020 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $36,318 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,158 (50.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Smith 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) | $26,668 – $30,310 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $30,310 – $34,101 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $34,101 – $37,147 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $37,147 – $39,362 |
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 Fort Smith
With approximately 1,580 certified nursing assistants employed in the region, the job market remains relatively robust despite challenges. The cost-of-living index in Fort Smith stands at 85.888, which suggests that salaries, while lower than the national average, may offer more relative purchasing power locally. Facilities such as skilled nursing homes and hospitals typically provide the highest wages, with potential for increased earnings through roles in home health agencies and specialized units like ICUs. Factors that contribute to wage disparities include shift differentials—offering an additional $2 to $4 per hour for night shifts and weekend work—along with premium pay during staffing shortages. For those seeking to enhance their certified nursing assistant pay in Fort Smith AR, accumulating additional certifications or transitioning to roles that bridge into LPN or RN pathways may prove beneficial in amplifying salary potentials in this evolving market.
More salary data for Fort Smith, 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 $32,020 for certified nursing assistantsin the Fort Smith 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
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