Anesthesiologist Salary in Fort Smith, AR: $389,756 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time anesthesiologist in Fort Smith, AR earns a median $389,756/year (≈ $187.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1211). Once you factor in Fort Smith's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $448,511 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, anesthesiologists in Fort Smith, Arkansas, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $389,756. This figure reflects the influence of local call-burden gradients, which can significantly affect compensation. Salaries in the area vary widely, ranging from $226,059 at the low end (P10) to $557,749 at the high end (P90). These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data adapted for regional price adjustments and the local cost of living. In a market where demand for surgical services exists, understanding the factors that shape the anesthesiologist salary in Fort Smith can give insights into the overall healthcare environment in the region.
About the Fort Smith Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($325,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $226,059 | $108.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $280,624 | $134.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $389,756 | $187.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $491,931 | $236.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $557,749 | $268.15 |
Median Salary Position
4.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Smith
In Fort Smith, AR, the anesthesiologist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $331,690 (2026 est.). At $389,756, the local median is 4.73% below the national median of $409,107.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Smith: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Smith Anesthesiologist Pay Compares
Fort Smith median: $389,756/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Smith Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $385,134 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $409,107 | -4.73% less |
Anesthesiologists in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $389,756 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.73% lower than the national median of $409,107 and 1.20% above the Arkansas state average of $385,134.
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 anesthesiologist earning $389,756 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $448,511 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$286,404
2025 BLS Actual
$372,972
2026 Current Est.
$389,756
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Anesthesiologists in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $286,404 | Actual |
| 2020 | $299,292 | Actual |
| 2021 | $312,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $326,834 | Actual |
| 2023 | $341,542 | Actual |
| 2024 | $285,853 | Actual |
| 2025 | $372,972 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $389,756 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $407,295 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Smith metropolitan area, the median anesthesiologist salary grew 30.2% from $286,404 (2019) to $372,972 (2025). At a 4.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $407,295 by 2027 — a total increase of $120,891 (42.21%) 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 4.50% 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) | $226,059 – $280,624 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $280,624 – $389,756 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $389,756 – $491,931 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $491,931 – $557,749 |
ANES salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual anesthesiologist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Anesthesiologist Job Market in Fort Smith
Currently, Fort Smith employs approximately 15 anesthesiologists, providing a tight-knit job market that benefits from a lower cost of living index at 86.9 compared to the national average. This environment enhances the purchasing power of anesthesiologists’ salaries, making the effective take-home pay more significant. Hospital systems and private anesthesia group practices typically dominate the top-paying employer landscape. Compensation disparities arise from multiple factors, such as case volume, rotations for on-call duties, and partnership equity opportunities. The most effective strategies to maximize pay in Fort Smith include exploring employer contract types, considering subspecialty fellowships, and negotiating W-2 employment benefits versus independent contractor status (1099). Focusing on practices with higher case volumes and those offering RVU-based bonuses will also enhance overall earnings potential.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $372,972 for anesthesiologistsin the Fort Smith metropolitan area. A 4.50% 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 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