LPN Salary

Conway vs Little Rock: Licensed Practical Nurse Salary (2026)

Compare licensed practical nurse salaries between Conway, AR and Little Rock, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Conway, AR
$61,287
$29.47/hr
Little Rock, AR
$62,617
$30.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConway, ARLittle Rock, AR
Median Salary$61,287$62,617
Hourly Rate$29.47$30.10
Entry Level (P10)$47,928$49,203
25th Percentile$56,133$54,340
75th Percentile$72,140$65,058
Top Earner (P90)$78,284$72,912
Total Employed142,470
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Conway ($61,287) and Little Rock ($62,617) licensed practical nurse salaries.ConwayLittle RockMedian Salary$61,287$62,617Entry Level (P10)$47,928$49,203Top Earner (P90)$78,284$72,912US Median $68,071

Verdict

Little Rock, AR offers better overall compensation for licensed practical nurses, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Conway.

The salary gap between Conway and Little Rock is $1,330 (2.17%). Little Rock's median is -8.01% compared to the US national median of $68,071.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Conway spans $30,356,Little Rock spans $23,709. Conway has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Conway
P10 (Entry)$47,928
P25$56,133
Median$61,287
P75$72,140
P90 (Top)$78,284
Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$49,203
P25$54,340
Median$62,617
P75$65,058
P90 (Top)$72,912

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Conway ($70,526 effective) pays 0.65% more than Little Rock ($70,070 effective).

Conway
Nominal: $61,287
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $70,526
Little Rock
Nominal: $62,617
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $70,070

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Conway if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($78,284)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,526)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Little Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,617/year)
  • Larger job market (2,470 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, licensed practical nurse salaries in Conway grew 46.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.3% growth in Little Rock over the same period.

Conway, AR

+46.5%

$39,576 (2024) → $57,982 (2025)

Little Rock, AR

+33.3%

$44,430 (2019) → $59,240 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays licensed practical nurses more: Conway or Little Rock?

Little Rock has a higher median licensed practical nurse salary at $62,617/year, compared to Conway at $61,287/year — a difference of $1,330 (2.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Conway and Little Rock?

Conway licensed practical nurses earn $29.47/hr while Little Rock hygienists earn $30.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Conway to Little Rock as a licensed practical nurse?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Conway and Little Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Conway = $70,526, Little Rock = $70,070), job availability (14 vs 2,470 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level licensed practical nurses earn in Conway vs Little Rock?

Entry-level (10th percentile) licensed practical nurses earn $47,928 in Conway and $49,203 in Little Rock. The Little Rock area offers higher starting salaries.
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Written by Aisha Malik, LPN

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.

Clinically reviewed by Daniel Thompson, LPNData verified by Maria Gonzalez, LPN

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.70% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov