Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Little Rock, AR: $135,382 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Little Rock, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $135,382 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Little Rock's local price level (BEA RPP 89.4 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $151,495 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($235,943) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
The starting nurse anesthetist salary in Little Rock, AR, is projected at $135,382 in 2026, representing a realistic entry point for new graduates entering this specialty. Although this entry-level wage is significantly beneath the city's median annual salary of $235,943, it offers a promising growth trajectory. Graduates can realistically anticipate moving from this entry level through the $152,193 mark within a few years, eventually positioning themselves closer to the median salary as they gain experience and develop their skills. Given the 5.20% annual growth rate in this field, Little Rock presents a favorable environment for new grad nurse anesthetist pay, making it a worthwhile market for those starting their careers.
Career Earnings Timeline in Little Rock
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 Little Rock
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Little Rock, AR typically start between $135,382 and $152,193 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $180,302 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $235,943 — 5.2% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Arkansas of $65,000 represents just 48.01% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($135,382/year) in Little Rock. 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 Little Rock
- 1Research the Little Rock market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $135,382 to $152,193, 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 Little Rock, 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 Little Rock for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Little Rock'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 Little Rock is $180,302 ( 133.18%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $135,382, experienced hygienists can earn up to $315,684.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$86,610
2025 BLS Actual
$128,690
2026 Current Est.
$135,382
2019–2027 Growth
+64.4%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $135,382 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,422 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Little Rock, AR grew 48.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $86,610 in 2019 to $128,690 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $142,422. New graduates entering the Little Rock job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock 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 Little Rock
In Little Rock, several prominent employers actively seek entry-level nurse anesthetists, including academic medical centers that handle a diverse range of cases, such as cardiac, pediatric, and transplant anesthesia. Large hospital systems often provide formal transition-to-practice programs, allowing new graduates to consolidate their skills in supportive environments. Credentials can significantly enhance starting salaries; obtaining a CRNA license through the state board of nursing and the NBCRNA certification are crucial. Continuing education, such as fellowships in specialized areas or pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) or Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice (DNAP), can also contribute to salary growth. In Arkansas, CRNAs predominantly operate under the Anesthesia Care Team (ACT) model, which allows for collaborative practice, and as they gain experience within the first few years, realistic salary expectations can align more closely with regional trends, paving the way for a successful career trajectory in this evolving field.
More salary data for Little Rock, 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 Little Rock. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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