Entry-Level Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Texarkana, AR: $147,154 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse anesthetists entering the Texarkana, AR job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $147,154 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1151, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Texarkana's local price level (BEA RPP 86.9 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $169,337 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($207,932) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Embarking on a career as a nurse anesthetist in Texarkana, AR, can be promising for new graduates entering the field in 2026. Starting salaries for entry-level positions are projected to be around $147,154, which is notably lower than the city's median salary of $207,932. This gap indicates that early-career professionals may need to grow their income through experience and skill acquisition. Over the first few years, a nurse anesthetist can expect to see gradual improvements in their salary, with figures moving towards the 25th percentile of $187,689 and eventually reaching the median as they gain proficiency. Given the 5.20% annual growth rate, Texarkana can be a favorable market for new nurse anesthetists looking to establish themselves, despite the initial discrepancy in starting pay compared to more experienced peers.
About the Texarkana Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($196,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Texarkana
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 Texarkana
Entry-level nurse anesthetists in Texarkana, AR typically start between $147,154 and $187,689 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $144,288 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $207,932 — 16.46% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in Arkansas of $65,000 represents just 44.17% of the starting nurse anesthetist pay ($147,154/year) in Texarkana. 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 Texarkana
- 1Research the Texarkana market: entry-level nurse anesthetist pay ranges from $147,154 to $187,689, 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 Texarkana, 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 Texarkana for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Texarkana'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 Texarkana is $144,288 ( 98.05%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $147,154, experienced hygienists can earn up to $291,442.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$114,859
2025 BLS Actual
$139,880
2026 Current Est.
$147,154
2019–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Texarkana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,859 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,707 | Actual |
| 2021 | $118,788 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,627 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,122 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,953 | Actual |
| 2025 | $139,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $147,154 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $154,806 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse anesthetist compensation (10th percentile) in Texarkana, AR grew 21.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $114,859 in 2019 to $139,880 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $154,806. New graduates entering the Texarkana job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texarkana 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 Texarkana
In Texarkana, several healthcare facilities hire new graduate nurse anesthetists, with academic medical centers often providing a diverse range of clinical experiences, including cardiac and pediatric anesthesia. Additionally, larger hospital systems may offer structured transition-to-practice programs that can help ease the shift from education to hands-on practice. Credentials such as the CRNA license from the state board of nursing and NBCRNA certification can significantly influence starting salaries. Pursuing further education, like a DNP or DNAP, or enrolling in specialized fellowships can enhance earning potential. Within the first three years, newly minted CRNAs can expect moderate salary progression as they gain clinical experience, especially in states like Arkansas that employ the Anesthesia Care Team model, which may provide collaborative working environments. For those aligned with CRNA-owned practices or considering the 19 opt-out states, the landscape may offer advanced opportunities for independent practice and potentially increased earnings.
More salary data for Texarkana, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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How fast do nurse anesthetist salaries grow in Texarkana?
Is nursing school worth it in Texarkana?
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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 Texarkana. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Texarkana 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