Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Fayetteville, AR: $65,502 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Fayetteville, AR earns a median $65,502/year (≈ $31.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.4), that paycheck buys what $71,702 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.4% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, the 2026 median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) is projected at $65,502, which positions these professionals slightly below the national median of $68,071. The salary range for LPNs in this area spans from $51,381 at the 10th percentile to $75,005 at the 90th percentile. According to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, the pay scale reflects the state's specific scope-of-practice rules, including responsibilities such as IV therapy and assessment capabilities that can influence salary levels. This structured compensation aligns with Fayetteville's particular healthcare needs, creating a competitive environment for those considering a role in practical nursing.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,381 | $24.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,608 | $29.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,502 | $31.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,219 | $32.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,005 | $36.06 |
Median Salary Position
3.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, AR, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,624 (2026 est.). At $65,502, the local median is 3.77% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be above the median
How Fayetteville Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $65,502/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $59,332 | +10.40% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -3.77% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $65,502 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.77% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 10.40% above the Arkansas state average of $59,332.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 91.353 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,502 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,702 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,470
2025 BLS Actual
$61,970
2026 Current Est.
$65,502
2019–2027 Growth
+52.3%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,502 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,236 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 36.3% from $45,470 (2019) to $61,970 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,236 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,766 (52.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $51,381 – $60,608 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,608 – $65,502 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,502 – $68,219 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,219 – $75,005 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Fayetteville
The job market for licensed practical nurses in Fayetteville is bolstered by the employment of approximately 1,270 LPNs in the region, which indicates a steady demand for care professionals in various healthcare settings. With a cost-of-living index of 91.353, nurses enjoy a relatively favorable economic climate, enhancing their take-home purchasing power compared to many other U.S. cities. In Fayetteville, the highest-paying employers often include skilled nursing facilities and long-term care centers, driven by factors such as shift differentials, IV therapy certification stipends, and weekend/holiday pay premiums. To maximize their earning potential in this specific market, LPNs should consider pursuing certifications in specialized skills, seek roles in more lucrative settings, or negotiate for charge nurse positions where applicable, as these strategies can significantly uplift licensed practical nurse pay in Fayetteville AR when factoring in the local economic context.
More salary data for Fayetteville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Fayetteville, AR in 2026?
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Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Fayetteville?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $61,970 for licensed practical nursesin the Fayetteville metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov