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CNA Certification ROI › Arkansas

CNA Certification Cost in Arkansas 2026: $30K Salary, 2.5-Month Payback

CNA in Arkansas: certified professionals earn $30,063/year at state-adjusted rates. Total cost $1,140. Payback: 2.5 months.

CNA in Arkansas — Key Numbers

$30K
Avg Salary w/ Cert
+$6K
Annual Salary Boost
$1,140
Total Cost
2.5 mo
Payback Period

Salary data: BLS OEWS state estimates 2024. State multiplier: 83% of national average.

CNA Cost Breakdown

Exam fee $140
Study materials $1,000
Total upfront cost $1,140
Salary without cert (Arkansas) $24,485/yr
Salary with CNA (Arkansas) $30,063/yr
5-year net ROI $27K

CNA Job Market in Arkansas

Arkansas CNA wages at $30K ($14.45/hr) are below the national median, reflecting the state's overall healthcare wage index. The payback math still works: $1,100–$1,500 total training cost against a $6,700/year raise over personal care aide wages pays back in 2 months. Employer-sponsored training is particularly common in rural Arkansas facilities that struggle to find credentialed staff. Travel CNA contracts ($25–$35/hr) are an option for Arkansas-certified CNAs willing to take short-term assignments in higher-wage states — common career move for CNAs building experience before nursing school. The NNAAP exam fee in Arkansas is $90–$150.

Arkansas Payback Calculator

Related Certifications in Arkansas

CDL License → HVAC Cert →
← Back to full CNA guide
All certifications in Arkansas · Payback period by state
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