Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Fort Smith, AR: $218,913 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Fort Smith, AR earns a median $218,913/year (≈ $105.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Fort Smith's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $251,914 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Smith, Arkansas, the nurse anesthetist salary stands at a median of $218,913 annually, reflecting a notable gap when compared to the national average of $248,893. Salary ranges for this role are quite broad, with figures spanning from $143,524 at the 10th percentile to as much as $315,867 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic factors, illustrate significant disparities in pay. Factors such as call coverage duties and overall workload differences play critical roles in shaping this salary range. Understanding these dynamics is essential for those considering a career in nurse anesthesia in Fort Smith, especially as the demand continues to grow.
About the Fort Smith Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($196,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $143,524 | $69.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $189,550 | $91.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $218,913 | $105.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $274,364 | $131.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $315,867 | $151.86 |
Median Salary Position
12.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Smith
In Fort Smith, AR, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $172,343 (2026 est.). At $218,913, the local median is 12.05% below the national median of $248,893.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Smith: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Smith Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Fort Smith median: $218,913/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Smith Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $216,317 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | -12.05% less |
Nurse Anesthetists in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $218,913 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.05% lower than the national median of $248,893 and 1.20% above the Arkansas state average of $216,317.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Smith has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Smith, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $218,913 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $251,914 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$153,736
2025 BLS Actual
$208,092
2026 Current Est.
$218,913
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $153,736 | Actual |
| 2020 | $161,467 | Actual |
| 2021 | $172,048 | Actual |
| 2022 | $178,627 | Actual |
| 2023 | $187,036 | Actual |
| 2024 | $172,391 | Actual |
| 2025 | $208,092 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $218,913 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $230,296 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Smith metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $153,736 (2019) to $208,092 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $230,296 by 2027 — a total increase of $76,560 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Smith 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $143,524 – $189,550 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $189,550 – $218,913 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $218,913 – $274,364 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $274,364 – $315,867 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Fort Smith
The local job market features a handful of nurse anesthetists, with only 15 currently employed in the Fort Smith area. With a cost-of-living index of 86.9, the purchasing power for nurse anesthetists is relatively favorable, making the salaries more impactful. Leading employers include hospital systems, ambulatory surgery centers, and veteran facilities, each offering varying compensation packages. The spread between lower and higher salaries can often be attributed to factors such as differences in call coverage (ranging from 1-in-8 to 1-in-5) and the potential for productivity bonuses. Those interested in maximizing their nurse anesthetist pay in Fort Smith should consider positions aligned with partnership-track opportunities, as well as those that offer generous stipends for trauma center services. Such strategies can significantly enhance overall compensation in this market.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can nurse anesthetists make $100K in Fort Smith?
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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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $208,092 for nurse anesthetistsin the Fort Smith metropolitan area. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fort Smith 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