Travel nurse stipends in Arkansas
Federal GSA per diem rates for FY2027 in Arkansas, the ceiling most staffing agencies use for tax-free housing and meal stipends. The table covers the areas around 90 hospitals; 1 area has rates above the standard rate.
FY2027 GSA rates in Arkansas
| Area | Lodging this month | Seasonal range | Meals per day | Weekly maximum | HUD 1-bed rent | Hospitals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot SpringsHot Springs | $115 | Same all year | $68 | $1,281 | $770 | 3 |
| Rest of the state (standard rate)Little Rock, Fayetteville, Conway | $113 | Same all year | $68 | $1,267 | $1,060 | 87 |
Weekly maximum is seven nights of lodging plus seven days of meals and incidentals at this month's rate. HUD rent is the FY2026 fair market rent for an unfurnished one-bedroom with basic utilities; furnished monthly rentals usually cost more. Sources: GSA and HUD.
How to use these rates
A weekly stipend is usually quoted as lodging plus meals and incidentals for seven days. Agencies set the actual amount, often below these ceilings, and the stipend is only tax-free if you keep a tax home you pay for. Read the tax home rules before you sign. The stipend calculator adds up a contract night by night when rates change by season.
Cities with the most hospitals in Arkansas
- Little Rock7 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Fayetteville4 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Conway3 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Hot Springs3 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Benton2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Fort Smith2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Hope2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Jonesboro2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- North Little Rock2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Springdale2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- West Memphis2 hospitals · estimate a contract
- Arkadelphia1 hospital · estimate a contract
Questions about stipends in Arkansas
What is the travel nurse stipend in Arkansas?
Most agencies cap the tax-free stipend at the GSA per diem rate. In FY2027, the standard rate in Arkansas is $113 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, up to $1,267 a week. 1 area pays more; the highest this month is Hot Springs at $115 a night.
Which part of Arkansas has the highest lodging rate?
Hot Springs (Hot Springs) at $115 a night this month, or up to $1,281 a week with meals and incidentals.
Do agencies have to pay the full GSA rate?
No. Agencies set their own stipends, often at or below the GSA rate, and some move part of the pay between the hourly rate and the stipend. Payments above the federal rate are generally taxable. You also need a tax home for the stipend to be tax-free.
When do these rates change?
Every October 1, when the federal fiscal year starts. FY2027 rates apply from October 1, 2026 to September 30, 2027. Some areas also change by season within the year.