Dental Hygienist Pay

Fort Smith vs Rogers: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Fort Smith, AR and Rogers, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Smith, AR
$88,653
$42.63/hr
Rogers, AR
$93,016
$44.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Smith, ARRogers, AR
Median Salary$88,653$93,016
Hourly Rate$42.63$44.71
Entry Level (P10)$60,278$70,053
25th Percentile$84,424$77,832
75th Percentile$97,993$103,041
Top Earner (P90)$103,156$119,137
Total Employed15011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Smith ($88,653) and Rogers ($93,016) dental hygienist salaries.Fort SmithRogersMedian Salary$88,653$93,016Entry Level (P10)$60,278$70,053Top Earner (P90)$103,156$119,137US Median $102,946

Verdict

Rogers, AR offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Smith.

The salary gap between Fort Smith and Rogers is $4,363 (4.92%). Rogers's median is -9.65% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Smith spans $42,878,Rogers spans $49,084. Rogers has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Fort Smith
P10 (Entry)$60,278
P25$84,424
Median$88,653
P75$97,993
P90 (Top)$103,156
Rogers
P10 (Entry)$70,053
P25$77,832
Median$93,016
P75$103,041
P90 (Top)$119,137

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rogers ($107,038 effective) pays 3.70% more than Fort Smith ($103,219 effective).

Fort Smith
Nominal: $88,653
CoL Index: 85.888
Adjusted: $103,219
Rogers
Nominal: $93,016
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $107,038

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Smith if…

  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Rogers if…

  • Higher median salary ($93,016/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($119,137)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,038)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Fort Smith grew 9.6% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 55.9% growth in Rogers over the same period.

Fort Smith, AR

+9.6%

$77,050 (2020) → $84,480 (2025)

Rogers, AR

+55.9%

$56,872 (2020) → $88,637 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Fort Smith or Rogers?

Rogers has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $93,016/year, compared to Fort Smith at $88,653/year — a difference of $4,363 (4.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Smith and Rogers?

Fort Smith dental hygienists earn $42.63/hr while Rogers hygienists earn $44.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Smith to Rogers as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Smith and Rogers. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Smith = $103,219, Rogers = $107,038), job availability (150 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Fort Smith vs Rogers?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $60,278 in Fort Smith and $70,053 in Rogers. The Rogers area offers higher starting salaries.
SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov