Dental Hygienist Salary in Arkansas: $91,518 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $91,518/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $105,314 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Little Rock ($89,160), Rogers ($88,637), Springdale ($88,574).
The projected average median salary for dental hygienists in Arkansas in 2026 is $91,518, which is approximately 11.1% lower than the national median of $102,946. In Arkansas, the highest paying city is Little Rock, where salaries reach $93,565, while the lowest paying city, Van Buren, offers $84,404. This difference of $9,161 between the highest and lowest salaries can be attributed to various factors, including local cost of living, demand for dental services, and the concentration of dental practices in urban areas compared to rural ones. In Arkansas, dental hygienists must meet specific state licensing requirements and adhere to defined scope of practice laws, which govern the services they can provide. The demand for dental hygienists in the state is expected to grow, with an annual compound growth rate of 4.94% projected from 2025 data. As of 2026, there are 1,331 dental hygienists employed statewide, with top cities such as Rogers at $93,016, Springdale at $92,950, North Little Rock at $92,183, and Conway at $91,577 also showing competitive salaries. This robust job outlook reflects increasing awareness of oral health and the ongoing need for preventive care in the population.
Arkansas Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $59,102 (lowest entry-level) to $121,553 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas dental hygienists earn 11.1% less than the national median ($-11,428/year difference).
Arkansas Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Arkansas range from $72,223 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $103,399 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $91,518. The Arkansas median is $11,428 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $44.00/hr. Approximately 1,331 dental hygienists are employed across 21 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$56,388
2025 BLS Actual
$87,210
2026 Current Est.
$91,518
2020–2027 Growth
+70.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Arkansas (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $56,388 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,886 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,723 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,633 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,847 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,518 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,039 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 54.7% from $56,388 (2020) to $87,210 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,039 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,651 (70.32%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) 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 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-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 |
|---|---|
| Van Buren | $84,404 |
| Bryant | $85,923 |
| Texarkana | $86,164 |
| Searcy | $86,572 |
| Hot Springs | $87,069 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers | $93,016 | 86.9 | $107,038 |
| Springdale | $92,950 | 86.9 | $106,962 |
| North Little Rock | $92,183 | 86.9 | $106,079 |
| Jonesboro | $90,931 | 85.876 | $105,886 |
| Conway | $91,577 | 86.9 | $105,382 |
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) | $72,223 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $91,518 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $103,399 |
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 | $93,565 |
| 2 | Rogers | $93,016 |
| 3 | Springdale | $92,950 |
| 4 | North Little Rock | $92,183 |
| 5 | Conway | $91,577 |
| 6 | Fayetteville | $91,518 |
| 7 | Jonesboro | $90,931 |
| 8 | Jacksonville | $90,274 |
| 9 | Bentonville | $89,831 |
| 10 | Benton | $89,081 |
| 11 | Paragould | $88,828 |
| 12 | Pine Bluff | $88,756 |
| 13 | Fort Smith | $88,653 |
| 14 | Sherwood | $88,347 |
| 15 | Russellville | $87,882 |
| 16 | Cabot | $87,486 |
| 17 | Hot Springs | $87,069 |
| 18 | Searcy | $86,572 |
| 19 | Texarkana | $86,164 |
| 20 | Bryant | $85,923 |
| 21 | Van Buren | $84,404 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore dental hygienist hourly pay in Arkansas cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Arkansas?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
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 4.94% 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 dental hygienist compensation across Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute 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, 6-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 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov