Public Health Nurse salary in Arkansas
A public health nurse in Arkansas earns an estimated $71,470 a year ($34.36/hr) — about 17% below the U.S. average, with most between $58,030 and $76,960. State figures are estimates based on national pay for the role and local cost of living — a starting point, not a guaranteed local wage.
Public Health Nurse — Arkansas
Specialty estimateMedian annual pay
$71,470
-17% vs nationalHourly
$34.36/hr
- Typical range
- $58,030–$76,960
- What most nurses earn
- High end
- $103,330
- Top earners
- Entry level
- $50,420
- Newer nurses
Public Health Nurse pay by city in Arkansas
Estimated pay in the state's largest metro areas.
| City | Est. annual | Est. hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | $73,200 | $35.19 |
Public Health Nurse pay in nearby-paying states
How Arkansas compares to states with similar public health nurse pay.
Other nursing roles in Arkansas
Compare estimated pay for related roles in this state.
What affects public health nurse pay in Arkansas
Lower cost of living; pay below the national median. For a public health nurse specifically, pay is shaped by the metro labor market, hospital vs clinic vs long-term-care setting, union presence, shift differentials, unit acuity, and years of experience. Certifications and a move into charge or advanced-practice roles raise pay further. Use the calculator to estimate your own.
How this estimate was calculated
The Arkansas figure adjusts the national RN average of $86,110 for local pay levels — a factor of 0.83× (about 17% below the U.S. average). It is a starting point — not an official Arkansas wage — until verified local figures and nurse submissions are loaded.
Local pay can vary well beyond this by specialty, shift, union status, employer type, overtime, and care setting. When official state wage data is loaded, this number updates to a verified value automatically.
Use this state estimate as a starting point
- It’s a starting point for Arkansas, based on national pay and local cost of living until official state data is loaded — not a guaranteed local wage.
- Your actual pay shifts with role and specialty, care setting, shift, overtime, union status, and years of experience — so compare a role-specific page and personalize the calculator.
- Reviewed salary submissions from nurses in Arkansas make this page more precise over time.
Public Health Nurse salary in Arkansas — FAQ
- How much does a public health nurse make in Arkansas?
- A public health nurse in Arkansas earns an estimated $71,470 a year — about $34.36 an hour, with most between $58,030 and $76,960. That's about 17% below the national average. This is an estimate based on national pay for the role and Arkansas's local pay level, not a guaranteed local wage.
- Is Arkansas a good state for public health nurses?
- For pay, Arkansas sits about 17% below the national average for public health nurses. A higher number often comes with a higher cost of living, so weigh the estimated $71,470 against local housing and expenses rather than the headline figure alone.
- Which city in Arkansas pays public health nurses the most?
- Among Arkansas metros we track, Little Rock tends to have the highest estimated pay for public health nurses, at roughly $73,200 a year. City figures are estimates based on the role's national pay and local cost of living.
- How does Arkansas public health nurse pay compare to the national average?
- The national estimate for a public health nurse is about $86,110 a year, versus an estimated $71,470 in Arkansas — about 17% below the national average. Use the calculator to factor in your experience, specialty, and shift.
- Why are some figures verified and others estimates?
- National pay for the main nursing roles — registered nurses, LPNs/LVNs, nurse practitioners, CRNAs, nurse midwives, and nursing assistants — comes from verified public wage data. State, city, and specialty figures that aren't reported on their own start from that national pay and are labeled "Estimated" or "Specialty estimate." We never show an estimate as a verified figure.
Source & confidence— An estimate for a specialty that public pay data does not list on its own. A ballpark to start from, not an exact figure.
Modeled estimate (BLS national × state wage index)
Arkansas figures are estimated by adjusting the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS national median for local pay levels (a state adjustment of 0.83×).
Source year 2024. Last reviewed June 1, 2025. Full methodology
Estimated figure — national public health nurse pay adjusted for Arkansas. Last reviewed June 1, 2025.