Registered Nurse Salary in Van Buren, AR: $77,166 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Van Buren, AR earns a median $77,166/year (≈ $37.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Van Buren's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $88,799 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Registered nurses in Van Buren, AR, can anticipate a median annual salary of $77,166 in 2026, which represents a significant variation compared to the national median of $102,730. The salary range for this role spans from $59,954 at the 10th percentile to $104,988 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation landscape influenced by factors such as shift differentials and the demand for nursing specializations in the area. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, taking into account regional price adjustments that can vary expectations for take-home pay. The dynamics of weekend and night shifts often enhance effective compensation, making them attractive options for nurses looking to increase their earnings in the local job market.
About the Van Buren Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,954 | $28.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,355 | $31.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,166 | $37.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,209 | $42.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,988 | $50.48 |
Median Salary Position
24.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Van Buren
In Van Buren, AR, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,034 (2026 est.). At $77,166, the local median is 24.88% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Van Buren: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Van Buren Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Van Buren median: $77,166/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Van Buren Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $83,153 | -7.20% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -24.88% less |
Registered Nurses in Van Buren, AR earn a median of $77,166 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.88% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 7.20% below the Arkansas state average of $83,153.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Van Buren 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.
Van Buren, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $77,166 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $88,799 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,060
2025 BLS Actual
$73,275
2026 Current Est.
$77,166
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Van Buren (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,584 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,289 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,009 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,652 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,851 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,275 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,166 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,263 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Van Buren metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $55,060 (2019) to $73,275 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,263 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,203 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Van Buren 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) | $59,954 – $66,355 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,355 – $77,166 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,166 – $88,209 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,209 – $104,988 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Van Buren
In the competitive environment of Van Buren, the local job market for registered nurses remains relatively small, with only five professionals employed in the area. The cost of living index in Van Buren stands at 86.9, which is below the national average and can improve the purchasing power of registered nurse pay in Van Buren AR. Due to the limited local workforce, employers such as acute care hospital systems and specialty surgical centers are likely to offer the highest wages. Factors contributing to the compensation disparity include shift differentials, which range from $3 to $7 per hour for nights and $3 to $5 per hour for weekends, as well as specialized nursing certifications that may command higher pay. For nurses seeking to maximize their compensation potential, focusing on flexible shift selections and pursuing certifications that align with high-demand areas, like critical care or emergency services, may prove beneficial in this specific market.
More salary data for Van Buren, 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 $73,275 for registered nursesin the Van Buren 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 Van Buren 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