Registered Nurse Salary in Paragould, AR: $81,209 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Paragould, AR earns a median $81,209/year (≈ $39.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Paragould's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $93,451 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the registered nurse salary in Paragould, Arkansas, reaches a median annual figure of $81,209, markedly lower than the national median of $102,730. This disparity highlights the ongoing pay differential between staff and travel nurses in the area, where local salaries can range from $57,072 at the 10th percentile to $114,229 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, illustrate the competitive, yet varied, compensation landscape for registered nurses. Understanding these figures is essential for both current professionals and aspiring nurses looking to navigate their career options in Paragould.
About the Paragould Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,072 | $27.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,877 | $33.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,209 | $39.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,430 | $45.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,229 | $54.92 |
Median Salary Position
20.95% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paragould
In Paragould, AR, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,157 (2026 est.). At $81,209, the local median is 20.95% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paragould: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Paragould Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Paragould median: $81,209/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paragould Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $83,121 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -20.95% less |
Registered Nurses in Paragould, AR earn a median of $81,209 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.95% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 2.30% below the Arkansas state average of $83,121.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paragould has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paragould, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $81,209 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,451 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,944
2025 BLS Actual
$77,114
2026 Current Est.
$81,209
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Paragould (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,944 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,549 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,343 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,205 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,039 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,725 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,114 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,209 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,521 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paragould metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $57,944 (2019) to $77,114 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,521 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,577 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paragould 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 5.31% 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) | $57,072 – $68,877 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,877 – $81,209 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,209 – $94,430 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,430 – $114,229 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Paragould
In examining the local job market, it’s noteworthy that there are currently only 7 registered nurses employed in Paragould, contributing to a limited yet tight-knit healthcare community. Given the cost of living index at 86.9, which is below the national average, RNs may find their take-home pay stretches further in their daily lives. Healthcare providers such as local hospital systems, including those offering emergency and critical care, tend to offer the most competitive registered nurse pay in Paragould, AR. Factors driving wage variability include shift differentials for night and weekend work, specialty certification stipends, and varied roles such as charge nurse positions in critical care units. For those looking to maximize earnings, obtaining specialty certifications and seeking positions in higher-acuity areas can be prudent strategies in this evolving market.
More salary data for Paragould, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
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 $77,114 for registered nursesin the Paragould metropolitan area. A 5.31% 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
Salary data for Paragould is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov