Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Benton, AR: $137,987 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Benton, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $137,987 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Benton's local price level (BEA RPP 86.9 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $158,788 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($211,889) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the nurse anesthetist field in Benton, Arkansas, the starting nurse anesthetist salary is projected at $137,987 in 2026, which might seem modest compared to the city's median annual salary of $211,889. This initial figure highlights a significant gap that early-career CRNAs may want to consider as they embark on their professional journey. However, there is a clear pathway for salary growth; as new nurse anesthetists gain experience, their earnings can rise from the entry-level position to P25 at $183,083 within just a few years, eventually approaching the median. Overall, Benton presents a favorable market for recent graduates, showcasing opportunities for advancement in both pay and skill development.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($196,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Benton
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benton
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Benton, AR typically start between $137,987 and $183,083 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $153,476 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $211,889 — 14.87% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Arkansas of $65,000 represents just 47.11% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($137,987/year) in Benton. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on COA-accredited (Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs) DNP/DNAP program data and AANA member tuition surveys. Tuition-only averages; actual costs vary significantly by institution type (public vs. private university) and residency status. Most programs require 1+ years ICU RN experience before admission.
CRNA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Benton
- 1Research the Benton market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $137,987 to $183,083, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in AR often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Benton, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Benton for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Benton's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Nurse Anesthetist Compensation Range
The nurse anesthetist wage spread in Benton is $153,476 ( 111.22%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $137,987, experienced hygienists can earn up to $291,463.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$107,704
2025 BLS Actual
$131,166
2026 Current Est.
$137,987
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Benton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $107,704 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,187 | Actual |
| 2021 | $111,388 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,551 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,265 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,542 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,166 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $137,987 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,162 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Benton, AR grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $107,704 in 2019 to $131,166 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $145,162. New graduates entering the Benton job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Benton metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Benton
In Benton, local healthcare employers such as academic medical centers and large hospital systems play a key role in hiring newly graduated nurse anesthetists. These institutions often provide the broadest experience, tackling diverse cases such as cardiac, pediatric, and transplant anesthesia, and may also offer structured transition-to-practice programs for newly minted CRNAs. To enhance their starting pay, new grads should prioritize obtaining a CRNA license from the state board of nursing and the NBCRNA certification, which requires ongoing recertification every eight years. In addition, pursuing optional fellowships in specialized areas can further elevate their skill set and marketability. Understanding the working dynamics in Benton is also crucial; here, CRNAs often practice within the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) model, collaborating with anesthesiologists. With realistic salary growth expectations in the first three years, Benton stands out as a nurturing ground for newly licensed professionals looking to build a successful career in anesthesia.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA
Career Analyst
Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Benton. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Benton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov