PayByState

Arkansas · BLS SOC 29-1292

Dental Hygienist salary in Arkansas

Median $80,120 · Top 10% earn $91,190+ · Roughly 2,264 workers in Arkansas. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Arkansas median
$80,120
$38.52/hr
Top 10%
$91,190
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$53,540
Entry-level range
Real pay
$92,731
CoL-adjusted (RPP 86.4)

Arkansas pays meaningfully below the U.S. median for dental hygienists — $80,120 versus the national median of $94,260. Arkansas's lower cost of living partially offsets the lower nominal pay, but real purchasing power is still below national average. The state employs roughly 2,264 dental hygienists.

What drives dental hygienist pay in Arkansas

Arkansas sits in the bottom quartile of U.S. dental hygienist pay. Lower nominal wages typically reflect rural-area service delivery, smaller hospital systems, and less-dense union or specialty employer presence — partially offset by a lower cost of living.

Arkansas ranks #50 of 50 states

Where Arkansas sits in the national distribution for dental hygienist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Arkansas
#49 West Virginia $81,060 +$940
#48 Alabama $81,060 +$940
#47 Louisiana $82,950 +$2,830
#50 Arkansas (this page) $80,120 —
#51 Mississippi $79,180 −$940
See all 50 states →

Find Dental Hygienist programs near you

We surface accredited programs by state — community college, online, and accelerated. Compare tuition, length, and start dates.

Compare programs

Sponsored. We may earn a commission if you enroll. Prices and availability vary by school and state.

Education path for Arkansas

The typical path is a associate degree + state license (some bs), taking about 30 months. Tuition ranges from $12,000 (community college) to $65,000 (private accelerated). On the Arkansas median of $80,120, payback periods are typically 1.4 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Hygienist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Arkansas selected.

Dental Hygienist salary in Arkansas — FAQ

What is the average dental hygienist salary in Arkansas?
The median dental hygienist salary in Arkansas is $80,120 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $53,540; the top 10% earn $91,190 or more. About 2,264 people work in this role across the state.
How does Arkansas dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas's median of $80,120 is $14,140 below the U.S. national median of $94,260. After adjusting for Arkansas's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 86.4), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $92,731.
Is dental hygienist a good career in Arkansas?
On the data: Arkansas employs roughly 2,264 dental hygienists, with a median wage of $80,120 and the top decile clearing $91,190. The role is projected to grow +9% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Arkansas?
At the Arkansas median of $80,120 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $38.52/hr. The top 10% earn around $43.84/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $25.74/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Arkansas-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1292: Dental Hygienists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Arkansas's RPP is 86.4 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.