Dental Hygienist Salary in North Little Rock, AR: $92,183 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in North Little Rock, AR earns a median $92,183/year (≈ $44.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in North Little Rock's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $106,079 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For dental hygienists in North Little Rock, Arkansas, the projected median annual salary in 2026 reaches $92,183. This figure presents a substantial alignment with the state average, reflecting both the demand for skilled hygienists and the influence of the local cost of living. Salaries in the area range from $71,832 at the lower end (P10) to $121,553 for top earners (P90). These estimates, which derive from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate a growing market for dental hygienists as the annual growth rate is expected to be around 4.94%. As North Little Rock continues to develop, the need for quality dental hygiene care is sharp, setting a competitive stage for employment opportunities.
About the North Little Rock Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($82,822) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,832 | $34.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,224 | $38.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,183 | $44.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,208 | $50.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,553 | $58.44 |
Median Salary Position
10.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in North Little Rock
In North Little Rock, AR, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,721 (2026 est.). At $92,183, the local median is 10.45% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in North Little Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How North Little Rock Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
North Little Rock median: $92,183/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | North Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $90,911 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -10.45% less |
Dental Hygienists in North Little Rock, AR earn a median of $92,183 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.45% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.40% above the Arkansas state average of $90,911.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
North Little Rock 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.
North Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $92,183 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,079 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$55,131
2025 BLS Actual
$87,844
2026 Current Est.
$92,183
2020–2027 Growth
+75.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in North Little Rock (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $55,131 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,177 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,969 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,839 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,074 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,844 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,183 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,737 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Little Rock metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 59.3% from $55,131 (2020) to $87,844 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,737 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,606 (75.47%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Little Rock 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $71,832 – $79,224 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,224 – $92,183 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,183 – $104,208 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,208 – $121,553 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in North Little Rock
The job market in North Little Rock currently supports 15 employed dental hygienists, indicating a close-knit community of professionals working to enhance oral healthcare. With a cost-of-living index of 86.9, salaries stretch further here compared to higher-cost cities, affording dental hygienists greater purchasing power. Among various employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland Dental and Pacific Dental typically offer the highest compensation, often including beneficial packages and sign-on bonuses to attract new graduates. Factors influencing salary variations include production-based bonuses tied to client retention, dental practice types, and work schedules ranging from four- to five-day weeks. To maximize earnings, hygienists should consider opportunities in DSOs, negotiate benefits, and seek practices that reward performance with financial incentives, fully leveraging the advantageous job conditions in North Little Rock.
More salary data for North Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $87,844 for dental hygienistsin the North Little Rock metropolitan area. A 4.94% 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 North Little Rock 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 4.94%, 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