Anesthesiologist Salary in Arkansas: $384,888 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median anesthesiologist pay sits at $384,888/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1211. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $442,909 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Little Rock ($385,522), Jonesboro ($373,556), Fort Smith ($372,972).
The compensation for anesthesiologists in Arkansas shows a median salary of $384,888, which is below the national median of $409,107 by 5.9%. This reflects the state's lower cost of living and competitive healthcare landscape. Little Rock ranks as the highest-paying city at $402,870, while Van Buren offers the lowest salary at $357,445, creating a substantial $45,425 salary gap. This difference can often be attributed to variations in healthcare facilities, patient populations, and local demand. In Arkansas, the state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws play a crucial role in shaping the job market for anesthesiologists. The demand for anesthesiology services is expected to grow, and data indicates a growth rate of 4.50% annually in the profession, which indicates a positive outlook in the coming years. Other cities like Jonesboro, Fort Smith, Fayetteville, and Rogers project salaries ranging from $387,468 to $390,366, demonstrating the influence of local healthcare infrastructures on compensation. Given the total of 242 anesthesiologists currently employed in the state, these dynamics offer a promising environment for new graduates and experienced professionals alike seeking opportunities within the field.
Arkansas Anesthesiologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $207,319 (lowest entry-level) to $583,210 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas anesthesiologists earn 5.92% less than the national median ($-24,219/year difference).
Arkansas Anesthesiologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Anesthesiologist salaries in Arkansas range from $223,235 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $544,167 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $384,888. The Arkansas median is $24,219 below the US national median of $409,107. The average hourly rate is $185.04/hr. Approximately 242 anesthesiologists are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$282,827
2025 BLS Actual
$368,314
2026 Current Est.
$384,888
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $282,827 | Actual |
| 2020 | $295,554 | Actual |
| 2021 | $308,854 | Actual |
| 2022 | $322,752 | Actual |
| 2023 | $337,276 | Actual |
| 2024 | $282,282 | Actual |
| 2025 | $368,314 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $384,888 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $402,208 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $282,827 (2019) to $368,314 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $402,208 by 2027 — a total increase of $119,381 (42.21%) 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 4.50% 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
Best Value Cities for Anesthesiologists in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for anesthesiologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Rock | $402,870 | 86.9 | $463,602 |
| Jonesboro | $390,366 | 86.9 | $449,213 |
| Fort Smith | $389,756 | 86.9 | $448,511 |
| Fayetteville | $387,773 | 86.9 | $446,229 |
| Rogers | $387,468 | 86.9 | $445,878 |
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) | $223,235 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $384,888 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $544,167 |
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 | $402,870 |
| 2 | Jonesboro | $390,366 |
| 3 | Fort Smith | $389,756 |
| 4 | Fayetteville | $387,773 |
| 5 | Rogers | $387,468 |
| 6 | Springdale | $387,194 |
| 7 | Jacksonville | $382,301 |
| 8 | Bentonville | $380,424 |
| 9 | Benton | $377,250 |
| 10 | Hot Springs | $376,892 |
| 11 | Paragould | $376,175 |
| 12 | Pine Bluff | $375,876 |
| 13 | North Little Rock | $375,604 |
| 14 | Sherwood | $374,142 |
| 15 | Conway | $373,134 |
| 16 | Russellville | $372,170 |
| 17 | Cabot | $370,497 |
| 18 | Texarkana | $370,408 |
| 19 | Searcy | $366,626 |
| 20 | Bryant | $363,874 |
| 21 | Van Buren | $357,445 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore anesthesiologist hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced anesthesiologists.
Explore More Anesthesiologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do anesthesiologists make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for anesthesiologists in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas anesthesiologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level anesthesiologist salary in Arkansas?
How many anesthesiologists are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for anesthesiologists?
Written by Dr. Maria Chen, MD
Career Analyst
Dr. Chen has over 10 years of experience in anesthesiology. She specializes in perioperative care at a major metropolitan hospital.
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 4.50% 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 anesthesiologist compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more anesthesiologistscontribute 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, 2-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 4.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for anesthesiologists (SOC 29-1211).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Maria Chen, MD, a licensed anesthesiologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov