Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Little Rock, AR: $44.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Little Rock, AR runs $44.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,565 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Little Rock's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,145 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Dental hygienist hourly pay in Little Rock, Arkansas is projected to be $44.99 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $49.49. This difference may affect various employment scenarios, particularly for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. A dental hygienist working three days a week at this rate can expect a reliable income while maintaining flexibility, which is often appealing in roles that involve general dentistry operatories, periodontal specialty suites, and pediatric clinics. For entry-level positions, hourly rates typically start at around $41.98, while more experienced professionals may command up to $48.55 per hour. These figures, sourced from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlight the competitive landscape for dental hygienists in Little Rock as they navigate their career choices.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.98 | $335.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.92 | $343.36 |
| Median (P50) | $44.99 | $359.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.39 | $371.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.55 | $388.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Little Rock
Based on $44.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.99/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Little Rock, AR can expect to earn approximately $93,575 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,985. With a cost-of-living index of 89.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Little Rock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Little Rock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,799.51 | $7,798 | $93,575 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,079.71 | $4,679 | $56,145 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $719.80 | $3,119 | $37,430 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Little Rock) | $44.99 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Dental Hygienists in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $93,565 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.11% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.90% above the Arkansas state average of $90,928.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.99/hr = $56,145/year (purchasing power: $62,827).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,575/year (purchasing power: $104,712).
CoL index: 89.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$19.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.99/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+139.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Little Rock (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $19.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Little Rock grew 117.2% from $19.74/hr (2020) to $42.87/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.21/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the 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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Little Rock
Shifting focus to part-time work, a dental hygienist in Little Rock working 24 hours a week could expect an annual take-home income considerably lower than their full-time counterparts, despite enjoying a more balanced schedule. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Little Rock often falls between $40 to $60 per hour when sourced through agencies, with top markets, such as high-cost-of-living cities, pushing rates even higher. Additionally, hourly pay varies depending on the type of practice; those in solo practices or public health clinics might find their rates less than those employed by Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Aspen, which may offer benefits in exchange for slightly lower rates. When negotiating, it’s crucial for dental hygienists to evaluate the trade-offs between hourly wages and health benefits, as many prioritizing secure income may accept a lower hourly pay alongside comprehensive benefits. Understanding these dynamics can significantly influence career decisions in Little Rock's evolving dental landscape.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Little Rock in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Little Rock?
Are dental hygienists in Little Rock paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Little Rock?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Little Rock?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arkansas
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
Hourly wage 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 estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Little Rock. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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