ICU Travel Nurse Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Intensive Care Unit travel nurses heading to Fort Smith.
Last updated: March 11, 2026
Last Financially Reviewed:
Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist
Avg Hourly (ICU)
$40/hr
Fort Smith, AR
Total Weekly Package
$2,734
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,256
After ~29.9% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: ICU in Fort Smith
GSA Housing (Monthly Est.)
$2,970/mo
$98/night × 30 days
Avg 1BR Rent
$1,000/mo
COL index: 95
Monthly Margin
+1,970/mo
Stipend covers rent
Arkansas ICU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for ICU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,600
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$83,200
Tax estimate: 5.9% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your ICU Pay in Fort Smith
Enter your contract details to see your precise take-home pay, adjusted for Fort Smith's GSA rates and cost of living index of 95.
Travel Nurse Pay Breakdown
Estimate your take-home pay, taxes, and blended rate in seconds.
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
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
After rent, this is what you'll have left each month for other expenses
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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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Fort Smith
These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for ICU travel nurses working in Fort Smith. Stipend amounts above these limits are taxable.
Lodging
$98/night
$686/week
Meals & Incidentals
$64/day
$448/week
Total Weekly Max
$1,134
Tax-free stipend ceiling
Source: U.S. General Services Administration (GSA.gov) 2026 per diem rates. City-specific rates apply when the work location is more than 50 miles from your tax home.
Requirements for ICU Travel Nurses in Arkansas
ICU Certifications Required
- ACLS
- BLS
- 2+ years ICU experience
- Critical care certification preferred
Arkansas Licensing
Hospitals Hiring ICU Travel Nurses in Fort Smith
- Fort Smith Regional Medical
- Fort Smith General Hospital
- Community Health Fort Smith
Other Specialties in Fort Smith
ER
~$39/hr
Very HighOR
~$41/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$38/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$35/hr
Very HighPACU
~$39/hr
HighNICU
~$39/hr
HighPICU
~$40/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$36/hr
ModerateOncology
~$37/hr
HighOther Arkansas Cities for ICU Travel Nurses
View all Arkansas cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ICU travel nurses make in Fort Smith?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses in Fort Smith earn approximately $40/hr in taxable wages ($1,600/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,734. Annual potential is $83,200 working full-time.
What are the 2026 GSA rates for Fort Smith?
The 2026 GSA per diem rates for Fort Smith are: Lodging $98/night, Meals $59/day, and Incidentals $5/day. Maximum weekly tax-free stipend: $1,134. These rates set the ceiling for tax-free travel nurse stipends — amounts above these limits become taxable.
Is Fort Smith affordable for travel nurses?
The cost of living index in Fort Smith is 95 (below the national average of 100). Average 1-bedroom rent is $1,000/month. The GSA lodging stipend covers ~$2,970/month, leaving a surplus of $1,970/month. Your stipend should fully cover average rent.
What certifications do ICU travel nurses need for Arkansas assignments?
Intensive Care Unit travel nurses need: ACLS, BLS, 2+ years ICU experience, Critical care certification preferred. For Arkansas specifically: Arkansas is a Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC) state — multistate license holders can work in Fort Smith without additional licensing.
Which hospitals in Fort Smith hire ICU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Fort Smith that hire Intensive Care Unit travel nurses include: Fort Smith Regional Medical, Fort Smith General Hospital, Community Health Fort Smith. ICU is in very high demand nationally — facilities in Fort Smith actively seek qualified candidates and often offer premium packages.
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