Travel Nurse Pay in Arkansas

Discover average travel nurse pay rates, stipends, and take-home calculations for Arkansas. Use our free calculator below to estimate your earnings.

Last updated: February 21, 2026

Calculate Your Pay in Arkansas

Use our calculator to estimate your take-home pay in Arkansas, including cost of living analysis to see your true discretionary income.

Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown

Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.

Excellent: Your housing stipend matches or exceeds the GSA maximum for Arkansas ($686/week). This is the maximum tax-free amount.
Effective Tax Rate29.9%
Federal: 24%
State: 5.9%

Same state assignment. You'll pay 5.9% state tax plus 24% federal tax.

Overtime (Optional)

Blended Hourly Rate

$70.53

Based on 36 hours in AR.

Gross Weekly Pay

$2,539

Taxable Weekly Income

$1,440

Estimated Weekly Taxes

$431

True Net Weekly Pay

$2,108

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Assignment Projections

13-Week Assignment

$27,410

Net Pay

26-Week Assignment

$54,819

Net Pay

Annual (52 weeks)

$109,639

Net Pay

Take Home vs Taxes

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Take Home

$2,108

per week

Taxes

$431

per week

Total Gross: $2,539 per week

🏠 Housing Stipend Analysis

Your Weekly Housing Stipend

$686

$2,970/month

Est. 1BR Rent in Arkansas

$800

Monthly average

Potential Tax-Free Pocket Money

+$2,170

Your stipend covers rent with $2,170 left over each month.

Find apartments under $800/month in Little Rock:

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Cost of Living Analysis in Arkansas

Monthly Net Income:$9,130
Average 1BR Rent:$800
True Discretionary Income:$8,330

After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses

Cost of Living Index:86.5

National average = 100. Arkansas's cost of living is lower than the national average by 13.5 points.

💡 Lower cost of living area. Your pay may go further here than in expensive cities.

Housing Cost: Low

Utilities: Low

Rent data based on 2025 market averages. Actual rent may vary by neighborhood and housing type.

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Average Travel Nurse Pay in Arkansas

These are average pay rates for travel nurses in Arkansas. Actual pay varies by specialty, experience, and facility. Use our pay calculator to estimate your specific take-home pay.

Hourly Rate

$40/hr

Weekly Gross

$1,600

Annual

$83,200

GSA Per Diem Rates for Arkansas

Lodging

$98/night

Meals

$59/day

Incidentals

$5/day

These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts for travel nurses in Arkansas.

Tax Information for Arkansas

State Income Tax 5.9%
Tax-Friendly for Travel Nurses No

Cost of Living in Arkansas

Cost of Living Index

86.5

Below national average

Housing

Low

Utilities

Low

Popular Cities for Travel Nurses in Arkansas

These are the most popular cities for travel nurse assignments in Arkansas. Click on any city to see detailed pay information, cost of living, and job opportunities. Use our state comparison tool to compare pay across different states.

View all state pay guides or search for specific cities using our calculator.

Arkansas Pay by Nursing Specialty

Pay varies significantly by specialty. Select a specialty to see detailed salary data for Arkansas:

View all specialties →

Top Hospitals in Arkansas

  • UAMS Medical Center
  • Baptist Health
  • Mercy Hospital

Nursing License Requirements for Arkansas

Nurse Licensure Compact Yes
License Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks

Cost of Living in Arkansas

Average 1BR Rent

$800/mo

Cost of Living Index

86.5

National avg = 100

Housing Cost

Low

Tip: Use our pay calculator to see how your take-home pay compares to the cost of living in Arkansas. Consider that rent in Arkansas is lower than the national average.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do travel nurses make in Arkansas?

Travel nurses in Arkansas typically earn between $35 and $50 per hour in taxable wages, with an average of $40/hr. When including tax-free stipends, the blended hourly rate ranges from $44-59 per hour.

What are the GSA rates for Arkansas?

The GSA per diem rates for Arkansas are: Lodging: $98/night, Meals: $59/day, and Incidentals: $5/day. These rates determine the maximum tax-free stipend amounts travel nurses can receive. For official rates, visit [GSA.gov](https://www.gsa.gov/travel/plan-book/per-diem-rates).

Is Arkansas tax-friendly for travel nurses?

Arkansas has a state income tax rate of 5.9%, making it less tax-friendly for travel nurses. However, you'll still pay federal taxes on your taxable wages.

What is the cost of living in Arkansas?

The cost of living index in Arkansas is 86.5, which is below the national average. Housing costs are low, and utilities are low.

Do I need a separate license to work in Arkansas?

Arkansas is part of the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so if you have a compact license, you can work here without additional licensing. The license costs $200 and typically takes 2-4 weeks to process.

Looking for a contract? Get matched with top-paying recruiters.

By submitting, you agree to be contacted by travel nursing agencies.

Resources for Arkansas