Nursing Assistant Salary in Fort Smith, AR
Nursing Assistants in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median $32,020 a year — 24% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,872 take-home, or $2,239 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median nursing assistant salary in Fort Smith, AR. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,662
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,985
- Medicare (1.45%)$464
- Arkansas income tax$1,036
- Take-home pay$26,872
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 3.90% state
The Fort Smith, AR-OK metro spans Arkansas, Oklahoma. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Nursing Assistant pay by experience in Fort Smith, AR
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,040 | $12.04 | $21,467 | $1,789 |
| 25th percentile | $28,460 | $13.68 | $24,150 | $2,012 |
| Median (50th) | $32,020 | $15.39 | $26,872 | $2,239 |
| 75th percentile | $34,880 | $16.77 | $29,058 | $2,422 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,960 | $17.77 | $30,649 | $2,554 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arkansas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $32,020 buys in Fort Smith, AR
Prices in Fort Smith, AR are 14.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 47% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median nursing assistant's $26,872 take-home pay has the buying power of $31,287 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Fort Smith, AR has 1.8× the national concentration of nursing assistant jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for nursing assistants, adjusted for cost of living
Fort Smith, AR ranks #336 of 355 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks, ND | $45,740 | $38,932 | $44,924 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $46,720 | $39,720 | $43,636 |
| 3 | Vineland, NJ | $48,890 | $40,310 | $42,003 |
| 4 | Rochester, MN | $46,840 | $38,129 | $41,982 |
| 5 | Yakima, WA | $47,080 | $40,009 | $41,874 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $47,830 | $40,611 | $41,634 |
| 7 | Mankato, MN | $46,430 | $37,821 | $41,582 |
| 8 | San Jose, CA | $56,840 | $45,652 | $41,343 |
| 336 | Fort Smith, AR | $32,020 | $26,872 | $31,287 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 355 metros →
Nursing Assistant salaries elsewhere in Arkansas
- Jonesboro, AR — $35,210
- Little Rock, AR — $35,370
- Fayetteville, AR — $35,820
- Hot Springs, AR — $29,940
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Fort Smith, AR?
The median nursing assistant salary in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $32,020 a year, or about $15.39 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,460 and $34,880.
What is a nursing assistant’s take-home pay in Fort Smith, AR?
On the median $32,020 salary, a single filer living in Arkansas takes home about $26,872 a year ($2,239 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,036 in Arkansas taxes in 2026.
Is Fort Smith, AR a good place to work as a nursing assistant?
Pay here is 24% below the national median of $42,260. Local prices are 14.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $31,287 would in a typical U.S. city. Fort Smith, AR ranks #336 of 355 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a nursing assistant afford rent in Fort Smith, AR?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fort Smith, AR is $714 a month ($937 for two bedrooms) — 32% of a median nursing assistant’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $28,410