Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Fayetteville, AR: $18.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Fayetteville, AR runs $18.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,148 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Fayetteville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.4, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,887 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, AR, the certified nursing assistant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $18.34, which is notably lower than the national average of $21.64. This difference can influence various work arrangements, particularly for part-time CNAs who may find themselves working three days a week in places such as skilled nursing facilities or hospice settings. With the hourly wage range spanning from $15.47 to $21.09, entry-level positions typically offer lower pay, while experienced CNAs can secure higher compensation. For those considering per-diem work, this median pay reflects the crucial earnings potential for daily shifts or flexible hours in diverse environments like hospitals and assisted living apartments. The presented figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.47 | $123.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.86 | $134.87 |
| Median (P50) | $18.34 | $146.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18.97 | $151.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $21.09 | $168.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fayetteville
Based on $18.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.34/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fayetteville, AR can expect to earn approximately $38,146 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,007. With a cost-of-living index of 91.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fayetteville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fayetteville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $733.57 | $3,179 | $38,146 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $440.14 | $1,907 | $22,887 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $293.43 | $1,272 | $15,258 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Fayetteville) | $18.34 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Home Health / Personal Care Aide (National Avg) | $16.80 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
| Psychiatric Aide (National Avg) | $18.50 |
Certified Nursing Assistants in Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $38,148 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.24% lower than the national median of $45,007 and 1.70% above the Arkansas state average of $37,511.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.34/hr = $22,887/year (purchasing power: $25,054).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,146/year (purchasing power: $41,756).
CoL index: 91.353 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+51.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Certified Nursing Assistants in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Fayetteville grew 33.4% from $12.91/hr (2019) to $17.22/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.53/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem certified nursing assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Fayetteville
When evaluating the part-time earning potential, a certified nursing assistant working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) would take home about $21,190 annually, a stark contrast to the average yearly income of full-time CNAs. Per diem certified nursing assistant pay in Fayetteville can vary significantly—while agency CNAs typically bill $22-$32 an hour, weekend shifts may offer even higher rates between $30 and $45 in areas with staffing shortages. The rate of pay also fluctuates based on employer type, with hospitals, rehabs, and home health agencies often providing competitive compensation. While some CNAs might opt for lower hourly pays with benefits like health insurance, others prioritize higher wages with less security. For those entering negotiations, it's beneficial to understand local labor trends and align expectations with employer capacities, especially when considering shift differentials for weekends or holidays.
More salary data for Fayetteville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much do part-time certified nursing assistants make in Fayetteville?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for certified nursing assistants in Fayetteville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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