Oncology Fort Smith, AR High Demand

Oncology Travel Nurse Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas

City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Oncology travel nurses heading to Fort Smith.

Last updated: March 11, 2026

Last Financially Reviewed:

Reviewed by Michael Torres, CPA, EA, Travel Nurse Tax Specialist

Verified

Avg Hourly (Oncology)

$37/hr

Fort Smith, AR

Total Weekly Package

$2,618

Taxable + stipends

Est. Weekly Net

$2,174

After ~29.9% tax

Housing Economics Verdict

Profitable: Oncology 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

#44

Arkansas Oncology Pay Ranking

Out of 50 states for Oncology travel nurses

Weekly Taxable Pay

$1,484

Max Weekly Stipend

$1,134

Annual Potential

$77,149

Tax estimate: 5.9% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.

Calculate Your Oncology 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.

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

Loading chart...

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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2026 GSA Per Diem Rates — Fort Smith

These city-specific rates set the maximum tax-free stipend ceiling for Oncology 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 Oncology Travel Nurses in Arkansas

Oncology Certifications Required

  • BLS
  • 2+ years oncology experience
  • OCN preferred

Arkansas Licensing

NLC Compact State Yes — No extra license needed
License Application Cost $200
Processing Time 2-4 weeks
State Income Tax 5.9%

Hospitals Hiring Oncology Travel Nurses in Fort Smith

  • Fort Smith Regional Medical
  • Fort Smith General Hospital
  • Community Health Fort Smith

Other Specialties in Fort Smith

View full Fort Smith pay guide →

Other Arkansas Cities for Oncology Travel Nurses

View all Arkansas cities →

Related Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Oncology travel nurses make in Fort Smith?

Oncology travel nurses in Fort Smith earn approximately $37/hr in taxable wages ($1,484/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,618. Annual potential is $77,149 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 Oncology travel nurses need for Arkansas assignments?

Oncology travel nurses need: BLS, 2+ years oncology experience, OCN 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 Oncology travel nurses?

Top hospitals in Fort Smith that hire Oncology travel nurses include: Fort Smith Regional Medical, Fort Smith General Hospital, Community Health Fort Smith. Contact these hospitals directly or use an agency to find open Oncology positions in Fort Smith.

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Resources for Fort Smith