PACU Travel Nurse Salary in Fort Smith, Arkansas
City-specific pay, GSA stipends, cost of living verdict, and step-by-step guide for Post-Anesthesia 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 (PACU)
$39/hr
Fort Smith, AR
Total Weekly Package
$2,676
Taxable + stipends
Est. Weekly Net
$2,215
After ~29.9% tax
Housing Economics Verdict
Profitable: PACU 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 PACU Pay Ranking
Out of 50 states for PACU travel nurses
Weekly Taxable Pay
$1,542
Max Weekly Stipend
$1,134
Annual Potential
$80,175
Tax estimate: 5.9% state + ~24% federal on taxable wages. Stipends are tax-free when GSA rate limits are observed.
Calculate Your PACU 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 PACU 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 PACU Travel Nurses in Arkansas
PACU Certifications Required
- BLS
- ACLS
- 2+ years PACU experience
Arkansas Licensing
Hospitals Hiring PACU Travel Nurses in Fort Smith
- Fort Smith Regional Medical
- Fort Smith General Hospital
- Community Health Fort Smith
Other Specialties in Fort Smith
ICU
~$40/hr
Very HighER
~$39/hr
Very HighOR
~$41/hr
HighLabor & Delivery
~$38/hr
HighMed-Surg
~$35/hr
Very HighNICU
~$39/hr
HighPICU
~$40/hr
HighPsychiatric
~$36/hr
ModerateOncology
~$37/hr
HighOther Arkansas Cities for PACU Travel Nurses
View all Arkansas cities →Related Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do PACU travel nurses make in Fort Smith?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses in Fort Smith earn approximately $39/hr in taxable wages ($1,542/week). Including GSA stipends up to $1,134/week tax-free, the total weekly package can reach $2,676. Annual potential is $80,175 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 PACU travel nurses need for Arkansas assignments?
Post-Anesthesia Care Unit travel nurses need: BLS, ACLS, 2+ years PACU experience. 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 PACU travel nurses?
Top hospitals in Fort Smith that hire Post-Anesthesia Care Unit 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 PACU positions in Fort Smith.
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