Registered Nurse Salary in Fort Smith, AR
Registered Nurses in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median $79,870 a year — 18% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $62,116 take-home, or $5,176 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Fort Smith, AR. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,741
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,952
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,158
- Arkansas income tax$2,902
- Take-home pay$62,116
Marginal rate: 22% 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.
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Fort Smith, AR
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,540 | $28.14 | $47,147 | $3,929 |
| 25th percentile | $68,140 | $32.76 | $54,322 | $4,527 |
| Median (50th) | $79,870 | $38.40 | $62,116 | $5,176 |
| 75th percentile | $82,930 | $39.87 | $64,150 | $5,346 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,500 | $47.36 | $74,496 | $6,208 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Arkansas resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $79,870 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 registered nurse's $62,116 take-home pay has the buying power of $72,322 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Registered Nurse jobs are about as common in Fort Smith, AR as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.05).
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Fort Smith, AR ranks #177 of 370 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 177 | Fort Smith, AR | $79,870 | $62,116 | $72,322 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in Arkansas
- Jonesboro, AR — $78,940
- Hot Springs, AR — $78,590
- Little Rock, AR — $81,070
- Fayetteville, AR — $77,910
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Fort Smith, AR?
The median registered nurse salary in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $79,870 a year, or about $38.40 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $68,140 and $82,930.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Fort Smith, AR?
On the median $79,870 salary, a single filer living in Arkansas takes home about $62,116 a year ($5,176 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,902 in Arkansas taxes in 2026.
Is Fort Smith, AR a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 18% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 14.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $72,322 would in a typical U.S. city. Fort Smith, AR ranks #177 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse 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) — 14% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.