Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Jacksonville, AR: $145,529 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Jacksonville, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $145,529 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Jacksonville's local price level (BEA RPP 86.9 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $167,467 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($214,726) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the nurse anesthetist profession in Jacksonville, Arkansas, the starting nurse anesthetist salary is projected to be $145,529 in 2026. When compared with the city’s median salary of $214,726, there is a significant gap that entry-level professionals will aim to bridge as they gain experience. The first few years can see a growth trajectory that typically takes new nurse anesthetists from this starting point to approximately $189,071 at the 25th percentile within three to five years of practice. Jacksonville’s employment landscape is currently favorable for new graduates, offering pathways that can lead to increasingly competitive compensation as they transition into full professional roles.
About the Jacksonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($196,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Jacksonville
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 Jacksonville
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Jacksonville, AR typically start between $145,529 and $189,071 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $155,469 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $214,726 — 13.73% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Arkansas of $65,000 represents just 44.66% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($145,529/year) in Jacksonville. 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 Jacksonville
- 1Research the Jacksonville market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $145,529 to $189,071, 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 Jacksonville, 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 Jacksonville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Jacksonville'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 Jacksonville is $155,469 ( 106.83%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $145,529, experienced hygienists can earn up to $300,998.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$113,591
2025 BLS Actual
$138,336
2026 Current Est.
$145,529
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,591 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,374 | Actual |
| 2021 | $117,476 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,196 | Actual |
| 2023 | $124,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,387 | Actual |
| 2025 | $138,336 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $145,529 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $153,097 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Jacksonville, AR grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $113,591 in 2019 to $138,336 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $153,097. New graduates entering the Jacksonville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, various employers are prepared to welcome newly minted CRNAs into their ranks. Academic medical centers provide a diverse case mix that is ideal for those just starting their careers, while large hospital systems often run structured transition-to-practice programs, essential for building necessary clinical competencies. Additionally, outpatient surgery centers cater to professionals looking for a more balanced lifestyle without on-call duties. Credentials play a crucial role in enhancing starting pay; obtaining a CRNA license through the state board, achieving NBCRNA certification, and considering fellowship opportunities in areas like cardiac or pediatric anesthesia can significantly upgrade a new grad nurse anesthetist's earning potential. As CRNAs operate under various supervisory models depending on state regulations, it is wise to strategize early career moves towards autonomous practice opportunities, particularly in opt-out states. This approach can result in notable salary increases, reinforcing the value of experience and education in achieving higher earning potential.
More salary data for Jacksonville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nurse anesthetists in Jacksonville in 2026?
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Is nursing school worth it in Jacksonville?
What do new nurse anesthetists make right out of school in Jacksonville?
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Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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 Jacksonville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Jacksonville 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