Certified Nursing Assistant Salary in Little Rock, AR: $37,669 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time certified nursing assistant in Little Rock, AR earns a median $37,669/year (≈ $18.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Once you factor in Little Rock's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $42,152 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average annual salary for certified nursing assistants in Little Rock, Arkansas, is projected to be $37,669. This figure is notably lower than the national average of $45,007, reflecting a significant 16.30% wage gap. The salary range for CNAs in the area spans from $31,375 at the 10th percentile to $47,371 at the 90th percentile, indicating some variance in pay based on experience and specialization. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, this projected earnings landscape highlights the disparity often seen between positions in skilled nursing facilities versus those in hospital settings. With about 5,250 certified nursing assistants employed locally, job opportunities continue to exist, particularly as the demand for healthcare services grows.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,375 | $15.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33,228 | $15.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $37,669 | $18.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39,128 | $18.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47,371 | $22.77 |
Median Salary Position
16.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock
In Little Rock, AR, the certified nursing assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $15,996 (2026 est.). At $37,669, the local median is 16.3% below the national median of $45,007.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Little Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Little Rock Certified Nursing Assistant Pay Compares
Little Rock median: $37,669/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $37,482 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $45,007 | -16.30% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Rock has a cost of living 10.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 89.364 (below the national average of 100). A certified nursing assistant earning $37,669 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $42,152 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$27,730
2025 BLS Actual
$35,370
2026 Current Est.
$37,669
2019–2027 Growth
+44.7%
Salary 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 | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $30,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,630 | Actual |
| 2025 | $35,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,669 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,118 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Rock metropolitan area, the median certified nursing assistant salary grew 27.6% from $27,730 (2019) to $35,370 (2025). At a 6.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,118 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,388 (44.67%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $31,375 – $33,228 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $33,228 – $37,669 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $37,669 – $39,128 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $39,128 – $47,371 |
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 Little Rock
The certified nursing assistant pay in Little Rock, AR, is influenced by several factors, including the local job market's strength and cost of living, which is indexed at 89.364—indicating affordability relative to the national average. Employers in hospitals typically offer higher wages compared to skilled nursing facilities, especially for roles in medical/surgical floors and intensive care units. Pay differentials can further escalate due to shift premiums for nights and weekends, which can add $1 to $4 per hour on average. Job seekers may also find increased compensation through agency positions amid staffing shortages or by obtaining additional certifications, such as medication aide or advanced CNA roles. To maximize earning potential in this competitive market, aspiring CNAs should also explore weekend-only positions that offer higher rates, consider working in high-acuity facilities, and pursue continuing education pathways that lead to LPN or RN certification.
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
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 $35,370 for certified nursing assistantsin the Little Rock 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