Nurse Practitioner jobs in Fort Smith, AR
The median nurse practitioner pay in the Fort Smith area is $53.80 per hour ($111,910 a year), with the typical range running from $49.06 to $61.77. That ranks 332nd of 372 U.S. metro areas for nurse practitioner pay, and 229th of 336 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 2 hospitals in Fort Smith. Tell us your role and we email current openings near Fort Smith.
- $53.80median pay per hour, Fort Smith
- $49–$62typical range per hour
- 270nurse practitioners employed in the metro area
- 86cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Nurse Practitioner pay in Fort Smith, AR
The metro median is 2% below the Arkansas statewide median of $54.64 per hour. Nationally the median is $62.12 per hour. BLS counts about 270 nurse practitioners employed in the Fort Smith metro area, 2.8 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.42).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $47.98 | $99,800 | 23% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $49.06 | $102,040 | 21% below U.S. median |
| Median | $53.80 | $111,910 | 13% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $61.77 | $128,480 | 1% below U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $64.33 | $133,810 | 4% above U.S. median |
How Fort Smith ranks
- 332nd of 372 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 229th of 336 after adjusting for local prices
- 4th of 5 Arkansas metro areas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Nurse Practitioners (SOC 29-1171), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.
What your pay buys in Fort Smith
- Overall prices in Fort Smith run 14% below the U.S. average (index 85.9, U.S. = 100).
- Housing is the biggest driver: 47% below the U.S. average (index 53.4).
- Adjusted for local prices, a $53.80 median hour buys what $62.64 buys at the national price level, 1% above 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.
Get the Fort Smith Nurse Practitioner pay report
Named employers near Fort Smith, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Fort Smith paycheck
- Per year: $96,840
- Per month: $8,070
Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Fort Smith metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.
Travel assignment per diem in Fort Smith
| Item | Federal 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 nurse practitioner 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).
Hospitals in Fort Smith
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Fort Smith, 0 of the 2 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of nurse practitioners.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mercy Hospital Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Baptist Health - Fort Smith Fort Smith, AR | Acute care | Nonprofit | 2 of 5 | Yes |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Primary care shortage areas in Sebastian County
HRSA lists 1 active primary care shortage designation that include Sebastian County (1 population-group). The highest-scoring one rates 15 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.
Nurse Practitioner pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville, AR | 51 mi | $60.99/hr | 103,134 |
| Springdale, AR | 59 mi | $60.99/hr | 89,368 |
| Rogers, AR | 68 mi | $60.99/hr | 75,639 |
| Bentonville, AR | 70 mi | $60.99/hr | 61,791 |
| Broken Arrow, OK | 92 mi | $62.33/hr | 122,756 |
| Tulsa, OK | 101 mi | $62.33/hr | 415,154 |
Nurse Practitioner jobs in Arkansas · Nurse Practitioner jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in Arkansas
Arkansas is in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN/LVN with a multistate license from another compact state can work here without a new license. Nurses whose home state is not in the compact apply for a Arkansas license by endorsement.
Arkansas taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.
Other healthcare roles in Fort Smith
Fort Smith city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do nurse practitioners make in Fort Smith, AR?
Nurse Practitioners in the Fort Smith metro area have a median pay of $53.80 per hour, about $111,910 a year. The middle half earn between $49.06 and $61.77 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Fort Smith a good place for nurse practitioners once cost of living is counted?
Fort Smith ranks 229th of 336 metro areas for nurse practitioner pay after adjusting for local prices, and 332nd of 372 before adjusting. Overall prices run 14% below the U.S. average.
Where do nurse practitioners work in Fort Smith?
CMS lists 2 hospitals in Fort Smith, led by Mercy Hospital Fort Smith. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a Arkansas license to work in Fort Smith as a nurse practitioner?
Arkansas is in the Nurse Licensure Compact, so an RN or LPN/LVN with a multistate license from another compact state can work here without a new license. Nurses whose home state is not in the compact apply for a Arkansas license by endorsement. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.
Is Fort Smith in a shortage area?
HRSA lists 1 active primary care shortage designation that include Sebastian 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 Fort Smith?
The federal per diem benchmark in Fort Smith 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 nurse practitioners in Fort Smith?
Yes. We place healthcare staff in Fort Smith and across Arkansas. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Fort Smith.
What do employers near Fort Smith pay nurse practitioners? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other hospitals
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
Get your free pay report
20+ Nurse Practitioner roles in Arkansas, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your NP pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your Arkansas list by name comes with the full report
1Pay for your role at other hospitals
- MarinHealthGreenbrae, CA · 4 postings$96.91/ hr$86–$108
- Sharp HealthCareSan Diego, CA · 6 postings$92.12/ hr$80–$104
- Sharp HealthcareSan Diego, CA · 3 postings$92.12/ hr$80–$104
- MemorialCareLong Beach, CA · 4 postings$89.59/ hr$70–$109
Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your Arkansas list
2What they are offering now
424 NP postings with published pay in the US, 363 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open NP roles
Open NP roles near Fort Smith, AR, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.