Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Fayetteville, AR: $44.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Fayetteville, AR runs $44.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,518 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Fayetteville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.4, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,914 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For dental hygienists in Fayetteville, Arkansas, the projected median hourly pay in 2026 is $44.00, which lags behind the national median of $49.49. This discrepancy can significantly impact both part-time workers—typically those putting in around three days per week—and per-diem professionals who may operate in various settings such as general dentistry offices, pediatric practices, or mobile public health clinics. The hourly range for this occupation spans from $30.64 for entry-level roles at the 10th percentile to $48.56 for the top earners at the 90th percentile, showing a clear gradient in pay that reflects both experience and the complexity of the work setting. Understanding this range can help dental hygienists anticipate their earning potential based on their career stage and employment setting.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.64 | $245.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43.13 | $345.04 |
| Median (P50) | $44.00 | $352.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.22 | $377.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.56 | $388.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fayetteville
Based on $44.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.00/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fayetteville, AR can expect to earn approximately $91,523 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,802. With a cost-of-living index of 91.35 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fayetteville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fayetteville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,760.05 | $7,627 | $91,523 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,056.03 | $4,576 | $54,914 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $704.02 | $3,051 | $36,609 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Fayetteville) | $44.00 |
| 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 Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $91,518 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.10% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.60% above the Arkansas state average of $90,972.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.00/hr = $54,914/year (purchasing power: $60,112).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,523/year (purchasing power: $100,186).
CoL index: 91.353 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$32.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.00/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+41.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Fayetteville (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $32.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Fayetteville grew 28.9% from $32.53/hr (2020) to $41.93/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.18/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 Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville
When considering part-time positions, a dental hygienist working three days a week would earn significantly less annually than a full-time professional, which can influence lifestyle choices and financial planning. For those exploring per diem dental hygienist pay in Fayetteville, opportunities at temp agencies often range between $40 and $60 per hour, with regional variations reflecting cost of living differences. Different employer types can also lead to wage disparities: private practices may offer lower rates compared to Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) that provide benefits but often reduce hourly pay. Thus, some professionals may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and job stability, while others might seek higher pay without benefits. When negotiating for an hourly rate, dental hygienists should leverage local market insights and emphasize their unique skill sets and certifications to maximize their compensation in the evolving landscape of dental care in Arkansas.
More salary data for Fayetteville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Fayetteville in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Fayetteville?
Are dental hygienists in Fayetteville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Fayetteville?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Fayetteville?
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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
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 Fayetteville. 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