Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Hot Springs, AR: $59,319 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Hot Springs, AR earns a median $59,319/year (≈ $28.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Hot Springs's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $69,193 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in Hot Springs, AR, can expect a median annual salary of $59,319. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $68,071, reflecting a wider pay range from $49,605 at the 10th percentile to $67,775 at the 90th percentile. These salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, account for Arkansas's specific scope-of-practice rules, which include IV therapy and patient assessment. Such regulations impact compensation greatly, especially as LPNs serve critical roles in various healthcare settings, including long-term care facilities, which dominate the job market in Hot Springs. The local employment figure stands at 410 LPNs, reflecting a steady demand within the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,605 | $23.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,258 | $25.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,319 | $28.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,388 | $30.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,775 | $32.59 |
Median Salary Position
12.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hot Springs
In Hot Springs, AR, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,170 (2026 est.). At $59,319, the local median is 12.86% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hot Springs: You'd be above the median
How Hot Springs Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Hot Springs median: $59,319/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hot Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $68,071 | -12.86% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $59,319 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.86% lower than the national median of $68,071.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hot Springs has a cost of living 14.27% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hot Springs, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.73 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $59,319 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,193 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,610
2025 BLS Actual
$56,120
2026 Current Est.
$59,319
2019–2027 Growth
+62.4%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,319 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,700 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hot Springs metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 45.4% from $38,610 (2019) to $56,120 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,700 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,090 (62.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hot Springs 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) | $49,605 – $52,258 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,258 – $59,319 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,319 – $63,388 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,388 – $67,775 |
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 Hot Springs
For those in the market, the cost of living index in Hot Springs is 85.73, suggesting a lower living cost that enhances the effective purchasing power of LPN salaries when compared to national averages. Employers in skilled nursing facilities typically offer the highest compensation, benefiting from the shift in healthcare delivery models prioritizing long-term care over traditional hospital settings. Pay variability in the licensed practical nurse pay in Hot Springs, AR, is often influenced by factors like shift differentials, certifications such as IV therapy, and the nature of the role—long-term care positions tend to pay more than those in home health or physician offices. To optimize earnings in this market, LPNs should seek roles in high-paying facilities, consider dual roles or certifications to enhance skill sets, and explore opportunities for weekend or holiday shifts that often come with premium pay.
More salary data for Hot Springs, 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 $56,120 for licensed practical nursesin the Hot Springs 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