Nursing Assistant salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Nursing Assistants in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $32,020 a year ($15.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,580 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,960 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $42,260. Pay here is 7% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $34,430. There are 17 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $31,750, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,040 | $12.04 |
| 25th percentile | $28,460 | $13.68 |
| Median | $32,020 | $15.39 |
| 75th percentile | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Average (mean) | $31,750 | $15.27 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,668.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,334.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,231.54 |
| Weekly | $615.77 |
| Hourly | $15.39 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $32,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Nursing Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38,010 | 4,930 |
| Tulsa, OK | $36,720 | 5,420 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $36,560 | 6,150 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $35,820 | 2,320 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $35,370 | 5,250 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $35,210 | 1,050 |
| Lawton, OK | $35,190 | 490 |
| Enid, OK | $34,250 | 270 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $32,880 | 820 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $29,940 | 810 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
See Nursing Assistant pay in every state or the Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $28,410 | $13.66 |
| Medical Assistant | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| Dental Assistant | $37,160 | $17.87 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,210 | $30.39 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $32,590 | $15.67 |
| Phlebotomist | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $34,360 | $16.52 |
| Massage Therapist | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $80,660 | $38.78 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for nursing assistants in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $32,020 a year, or $15.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $36,960 a year. The top 25% earn $34,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,040 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $28,460 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 1,580 nursing assistants are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.