What is the average RN salary in Fort Smith?

The average RN salary in Fort Smith is $82,488. This Fort Smith figure is 11.9% below the U.S. RN median of $93,600 and lower than many state and national averages. The city population of 89,116 and six local hospitals shape local compensation levels.

How many hospitals are in Fort Smith?

Fort Smith has 6 hospitals in total. Top local systems include Mercy Fort Smith and Baptist Health-Fort Smith as prominent acute care providers; these hospitals anchor inpatient, surgical, and emergency services for the 89,116 residents of Fort Smith.

What is the cost of living in Fort Smith?

The cost of living in Fort Smith is below the U.S. average with a Cost of Living Index of 87.5 (U.S. average = 100). Housing costs are notably lower than national norms, and this lower COL helps the city’s Adjusted Salary of $94,272 stretch further for nurses.

Is Fort Smith a good place for nurses?

Fort Smith can be a sensible choice for nurses seeking lower living costs; the Adjusted Salary is $94,272 and the COL index is 87.5. However, local RN pay of $82,488 is 11.9% below the U.S. median and jobs show a -0.5% growth rate, so opportunities may be steady rather than expanding.

What is the real purchasing power for nurses in Fort Smith?

The real purchasing power for Fort Smith nurses, using the provided Adjusted Salary, is $94,272 after accounting for the 87.5 Cost of Living Index. Compared to the U.S. RN median salary of $93,600, this adjusted figure suggests Fort Smith nurses can buy slightly more locally despite the $82,488 nominal wage.

Can nurses use a multistate compact license to work in Fort Smith?

Yes — Arkansas participates in the Nurse Licensure Compact (NLC), so nurses with a valid multistate compact license have practice privileges in Fort Smith. That multistate license lets eligible RNs work across NLC states without obtaining a separate Arkansas single-state license.

What nursing specialties are most in demand in Fort Smith?

Acute care specialties are most in demand in Fort Smith given its six hospitals and acute care services: ICU, emergency department (ED), med-surg, and labor & delivery (L&D). Hospitals in the city commonly need ICU and ED staffing along with med-surg nurses to support inpatient and surgical volumes.

Nursing in Fort Smith, AR

Practical guide to nursing in Fort Smith, AR — salaries, cost of living, hospitals, climate, and what nurses actually earn after local taxes and rent.