AR · Jonesboro · Updated October 15, 2026

Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Jonesboro, AR

The median certified nursing assistant pay in the Jonesboro area is $16.00 per hour ($33,270 a year), with the typical range running from $14.37 to $17.14. That ranks 340th of 380 U.S. metro areas for certified nursing assistant pay, and 253rd of 341 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Jonesboro. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Jonesboro.

Certified Nursing Assistant pay in Jonesboro, AR

The metro median is 4% above the Arkansas statewide median of $15.38 per hour. Nationally the median is $19.01 per hour. BLS counts about 1,050 nursing assistants employed in the Jonesboro metro area, 17.6 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.95).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$12.65$26,31033% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$14.37$29,89024% below U.S. median
Median$16.00$33,27016% below U.S. median
Upper quartile$17.14$35,65010% below U.S. median
Top 10%$18.96$39,440in line with U.S. median

How Jonesboro ranks

  • 340th of 380 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 253rd of 341 after adjusting for local prices
  • 3rd of 5 Arkansas metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Nursing Assistants (SOC 31-1131), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Jonesboro

  • Overall prices in Jonesboro run 14% below the U.S. average (index 85.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 46% below the U.S. average (index 53.8).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $16.00 median hour buys what $18.63 buys at the national price level, 2% below the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

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Named employers near Jonesboro, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.

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Estimate your Jonesboro paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$576
  • Per year: $28,800
  • Per month: $2,400

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Jonesboro metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Jonesboro

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

Travel certified nursing assistant assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Open Certified Nursing Assistant roles in Arkansas

Nearest open roles with published pay. Your free report adds roles in Jonesboro as they open.

PermanentPosted today

Patient Care Assistant

CommonSpirit Health · Hot Springs, AR

$17.00–$20.13/ hour
  • Full Time
  • Req 102006839472
New this week
View role
PermanentPosted 8 days ago

Nursing Assistant

Veterans Health Administration · Little Rock, AR

$38k–$61k/ year
  • Full-time
  • Req 888050200
View role

All Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Arkansas

Hospitals in Jonesboro

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Jonesboro, 0 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of certified nursing assistants.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Baptist Memorial Hospital Jonesboro, Inc.
Jonesboro, AR
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
St Bernards Medical Center
Jonesboro, AR
Acute careNonprofit1 of 5Yes

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Primary care shortage areas in Craighead County

HRSA lists 2 active primary care shortage designations that include Craighead County (1 population-group, 1 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 19 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Certified Nursing Assistant pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Bartlett, TN63 mi$17.71/hr56,708
Memphis, TN63 mi$17.71/hr610,919
Southaven, MS72 mi$17.71/hr57,493
Collierville, TN77 mi$17.71/hr51,951
Jackson, TN104 mi$16.79/hr69,303
Conway, AR113 mi$17.13/hr70,711

Certified Nursing Assistant jobs in Arkansas · Certified Nursing Assistant jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in Arkansas

State-approved CNA training and active state registry listing. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Arkansas requires for your role with the Arkansas licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

Arkansas taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

Arkansas state guide

Other healthcare roles in Jonesboro

Jonesboro city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do certified nursing assistants make in Jonesboro, AR?

Certified Nursing Assistants in the Jonesboro metro area have a median pay of $16.00 per hour, about $33,270 a year. The middle half earn between $14.37 and $17.14 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Jonesboro a good place for certified nursing assistants once cost of living is counted?

Jonesboro ranks 253rd of 341 metro areas for certified nursing assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 340th of 380 before adjusting. Overall prices run 14% below the U.S. average.

Where do certified nursing assistants work in Jonesboro?

CMS lists 2 hospitals in Jonesboro, led by Baptist Memorial Hospital Jonesboro, Inc.. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.

Do I need a Arkansas license to work in Jonesboro as a certified nursing assistant?

State-approved CNA training and active state registry listing. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what Arkansas requires for your role with the Arkansas licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Jonesboro in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 2 active primary care shortage designations that include Craighead County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Jonesboro?

The federal per diem benchmark in Jonesboro is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place certified nursing assistants in Jonesboro?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Jonesboro and across Arkansas. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Jonesboro.

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What do employers near Jonesboro pay certified nursing assistants? Get the report.

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    Pay for your role at other hospitals

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The Joint Commission Gold Seal of Approval: Health Care Staffing Services Certification, since 2022American Staffing Association memberNATHO member: National Association of Travel Healthcare OrganizationsNALTO member: National Association of Locum Tenens Organizations

Pay report · CNA near Jonesboro, AR
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your CNA pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Arkansas list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Veterans Health AdministrationNorth Little Rock, AR · 2 postings$23.76/ hr$18–$29
  • CommonSpirit HealthBURIEN, WA · 7 postings$31.52/ hr$23–$41
  • Emanate HealthCovina, CA · 6 postings$28.75/ hr$21–$34
  • MultiCareTacoma, WA · 105 postings$28.55/ hr$21–$44

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Arkansas list

2What they are offering now

Low$17Median$23.76High$29

3 CNA postings with published pay in Arkansas, 3 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 3 CNA roles

  1. Patient Care AssistantPermanent
    $17.00–$20.13/ hour
    CommonSpirit Health · Hot Springs, AR · posted today
  2. Nursing Assistant - Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP)Permanent
    $38k–$61k/ year
    Veterans Health Administration · North Little Rock, AR · posted 7 days ago

+ 1 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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