Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $16.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a certified nursing assistant working in Fort Smith, AR runs $16.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $34,101 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-1131). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,455 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Certified nursing assistants in Fort Smith, Arkansas, earn a median hourly rate of $16.39, which falls below the national average of $21.64. This hourly pay structure is particularly relevant for those working part-time, allowing for flexible schedules in various settings such as skilled nursing facilities, hospitals, home health visits, and assisted living communities. For part-time CNAs working about 24 hours per week, this rate leads to a potential annual income of around $25,000. The hourly range for certified nursing assistants in the area varies, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $12.82, while more experienced professionals can earn up to $18.93 per hour. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, projected for 2026, presents a clear picture of the earning potential within this growing field.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $12.82 | $102.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.57 | $116.55 |
| Median (P50) | $16.39 | $131.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.86 | $142.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $18.93 | $151.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $16.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.39/hr, a certified nursing assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $34,092 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,668. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Smith.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Smith
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $655.61 | $2,841 | $34,092 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $393.37 | $1,705 | $20,455 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $262.25 | $1,136 | $13,637 |
Compare CNA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Certified Nursing Assistant (Fort Smith) | $16.39 |
| 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 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.
Certified Nursing Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.39/hr = $20,455/year (purchasing power: $23,816).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $34,092/year (purchasing power: $39,693).
CoL index: 85.888 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$11.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$15.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.2%
Hourly Rate 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 | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $11.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $12.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $14.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $15.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Fort Smith grew 32.4% from $11.62/hr (2019) to $15.39/hr (2025). At a 6.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.46/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 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.
Working as an Hourly Certified Nursing Assistant in Fort Smith
When considering the financial realities of a certified nursing assistant in Fort Smith, part-time employment typically results in earnings considerably less than full-time counterparts. A 3-day workweek totals about 24 hours, translating to approximately $25,920 annually. In contrast, agency CNAs may command hourly rates ranging from $22 to $32, and premium weekend contracts can yield between $30 and $45 in shortage markets. Travel contracts, while less common, often offer between $1,000 and $1,800 weekly. Hourly rates can differ significantly based on the type of employer; for instance, skilled nursing facilities and hospitals often provide different compensation packages compared with home health agencies or hospice organizations. Moreover, certified nursing assistants must weigh their options between higher hourly wages without benefits and lower rates that include health insurance. Understanding how to negotiate effectively for better pay is critical, especially in Fort Smith’s competitive arena for certified nursing assistant positions.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for certified nursing assistants in Fort Smith in 2026?
How much do part-time certified nursing assistants make in Fort Smith?
Are certified nursing assistants in Fort Smith paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time certified nursing assistant make per year in Fort Smith?
Do certified nursing assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Fort Smith?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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 Fort Smith. 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