Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Fort Smith, AR: $59,065 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Fort Smith, AR earns a median $59,065/year (≈ $28.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Fort Smith's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $68,770 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, AR, licensed practical nurses can expect a median annual salary of $59,065 in 2026, a figure that reflects the state's regulated scope of practice, which includes IV therapy and assessment responsibilities. This salary falls within a range of $50,683 at the lower end (P10) to $64,625 for those in the highest earning bracket (P90). Data supporting these figures is drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, highlighting the competitive nature of LPN compensation in the area despite a notable gap compared to the national median of $68,071. Familiarity with the local healthcare landscape, particularly in long-term care settings, positions nurses to capitalize on job opportunities in this vibrant market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,683 | $24.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,431 | $25.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,065 | $28.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,997 | $30.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,625 | $31.07 |
Median Salary Position
13.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Smith
In Fort Smith, AR, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,942 (2026 est.). At $59,065, the local median is 13.23% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Smith: You'd be above the median
How Fort Smith Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Fort Smith median: $59,065/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Smith Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $59,302 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $68,071 | -13.23% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $59,065 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.23% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 0.40% below the Arkansas state average of $59,302.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Smith has a cost of living 14.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Smith, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.888 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $59,065 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,770 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.43% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,340
2025 BLS Actual
$55,880
2026 Current Est.
$59,065
2019–2027 Growth
+54.8%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,065 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,432 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Smith metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 38.5% from $40,340 (2019) to $55,880 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,432 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,092 (54.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Smith 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) | $50,683 – $53,431 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,431 – $59,065 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,065 – $62,997 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,997 – $64,625 |
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 Fort Smith
With approximately 960 licensed practical nurses currently employed in Fort Smith, the local job market reveals strength relative to the economical cost of living, which sits at an index of 85.888—indicating that expenses are below the national average. This financial context presents a favorable environment for take-home pay, as lower living costs can enhance disposable income. Among various employers, skilled nursing facilities generally offer the highest wages, particularly for LPNs with specialized certifications, which can lead to extra pay through stipends or shift differentials. The disparity in earnings among licensed practical nurse pay in Fort Smith AR stems from factors like setting preferences (with skilled nursing outpacing home health and physician offices), skill certifications, and the adoption of weekend or holiday bonuses. Consequently, aspiring LPNs in Fort Smith might explore roles in skilled nursing or consider additional training to maximize their earning potential in a dynamically evolving healthcare sector.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $55,880 for licensed practical nursesin the Fort Smith 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