Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Arkansas: $216,620 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $216,620/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $249,275 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Little Rock ($224,280), North Little Rock ($220,970), Conway ($219,516).
In Arkansas, the projected average median salary for nurse anesthetists in 2026 is $216,620, which is approximately 13.0% lower than the national median of $248,893. The salary landscape varies significantly across the state, with Little Rock offering the highest average at $235,943, while Fayetteville has the lowest at $90,651. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, market demand, and local healthcare infrastructure. Arkansas has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that affect job roles and responsibilities, which can influence salary levels. The demand for nurse anesthetists in the state is driven by the ongoing need for surgical and anesthesia services across healthcare facilities, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 5.20%. As of now, there are 173 employed nurse anesthetists in Arkansas, with top-paying cities including North Little Rock at $232,460, Conway at $230,931, Jonesboro at $219,256, and Fort Smith at $218,913. The job market for nurse anesthetists in Arkansas seems to be firm, supported by consistent demand and favorable employment trends, making it a relevant option for those considering a career in this field.
Arkansas Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $48,750 (lowest entry-level) to $341,403 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas nurse anesthetists earn 12.97% less than the national median ($-32,273/year difference).
Arkansas Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in Arkansas range from $143,304 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $307,282 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $216,620. The Arkansas median is $32,273 below the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $104.15/hr. Approximately 173 nurse anesthetists are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$142,640
2025 BLS Actual
$205,913
2026 Current Est.
$216,620
2019–2027 Growth
+59.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $142,640 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $154,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $169,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $179,680 | Actual |
| 2024 | $159,724 | Actual |
| 2025 | $205,913 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $216,620 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $227,884 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 44.4% from $142,640 (2019) to $205,913 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $227,884 by 2027 — a total increase of $85,244 (59.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fayetteville | $90,651 |
| Van Buren | $200,766 |
| Bryant | $204,376 |
| Searcy | $205,922 |
| Texarkana | $207,932 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Little Rock | $232,460 | 86.9 | $267,503 |
| Conway | $230,931 | 86.9 | $265,743 |
| Little Rock | $235,943 | 89.364 | $264,025 |
| Jonesboro | $219,256 | 86.9 | $252,308 |
| Fort Smith | $218,913 | 86.9 | $251,914 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $143,304 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $216,620 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $307,282 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Little Rock | $235,943 |
| 2 | North Little Rock | $232,460 |
| 3 | Conway | $230,931 |
| 4 | Jonesboro | $219,256 |
| 5 | Fort Smith | $218,913 |
| 6 | Rogers | $217,628 |
| 7 | Springdale | $217,474 |
| 8 | Jacksonville | $214,726 |
| 9 | Bentonville | $213,672 |
| 10 | Benton | $211,889 |
| 11 | Hot Springs | $211,688 |
| 12 | Paragould | $211,285 |
| 13 | Pine Bluff | $211,117 |
| 14 | Sherwood | $210,143 |
| 15 | Russellville | $209,036 |
| 16 | Cabot | $208,096 |
| 17 | Texarkana | $207,932 |
| 18 | Searcy | $205,922 |
| 19 | Bryant | $204,376 |
| 20 | Van Buren | $200,766 |
| 21 | Fayetteville | $90,651 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse anesthetist hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do nurse anesthetists make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for nurse anesthetists in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level nurse anesthetist salary in Arkansas?
How many nurse anesthetists are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse anesthetist compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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