Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Hot Springs, AR: $31,886 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Hot Springs, AR earns a median $31,886/year (≈ $15.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Hot Springs's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $37,194 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hot Springs, Arkansas, the certified nursing assistant salary is projected to experience a notable shift following the post-COVID wage reset. With a median annual salary of $31,886, the pay range for these professionals spans from $31,471 at the lower end to $40,257 at the high end. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reflects a local market that offers relatively lower compensation compared to the national median, which stands at $45,007. Employers are adapting to the new normal by adjusting pay structures in response to increased operational demands. The dynamics within Hot Springs's job market indicate that competition for talent may intensify, as facilities strive to attract and retain certified nursing assistants amidst ongoing staffing challenges.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,471 | $15.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31,716 | $15.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $31,886 | $15.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37,456 | $18.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40,257 | $19.35 |
Median Salary Position
29.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hot Springs
In Hot Springs, AR, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $8,786 (2026 est.). At $31,886, the local median is 29.15% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hot Springs: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Hot Springs Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Hot Springs median: $31,886/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hot Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $37,513 | -15.00% less |
| National Average | $45,007 | -29.15% less |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $31,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.15% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 15.00% below the Arkansas state average of $37,513.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hot Springs has a cost of living 14.27% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hot Springs, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.73 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $31,886 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $37,194 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$24,350
2025 BLS Actual
$29,940
2026 Current Est.
$31,886
2019–2027 Growth
+39.5%
Salary Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $30,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31,886 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33,959 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hot Springs metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 23.0% from $24,350 (2019) to $29,940 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $33,959 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,609 (39.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hot Springs 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) | $31,471 – $31,716 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $31,716 – $31,886 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $31,886 – $37,456 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $37,456 – $40,257 |
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 Hot Springs
Currently, there are about 810 certified nursing assistants working within Hot Springs, a figure that highlights the demand for these roles in the local healthcare ecosystem. With a cost of living index of 85.73, which is below the national average, the purchasing power for certified nursing assistants is somewhat favorable, even as salary figures remain wallet-tightening when compared to larger markets. Among various employers in the region, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals tend to offer the highest wages, often influenced by the complexity of care, shift differentials, and specific role requirements. Factors such as weekend premiums and agency pay during staffing shortages can create a significant disparity in earnings. For those looking to maximize pay, pursuing roles with higher acuity levels or seeking weekend-only positions can be effective strategies, along with additional certifications like CMA for further advancement opportunities.
More salary data for Hot Springs, 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 $29,940 for certified nursing assistantsin the Hot Springs 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