Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Benton, AR: $42.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Benton, AR runs $42.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,081 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Benton's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,447 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Benton, Arkansas, dental hygienists can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $42.83, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.49. This figure has significant implications for both part-time and per-diem professionals working in various healthcare settings such as general dentistry practices, pediatric offices, and public health clinics. For example, a part-time hygienist working three days a week may find stable income opportunities in these environments. The estimated hourly range extends from $32.62 for entry-level positions to as high as $52.68 for more experienced professionals. These figures provide a comprehensive overview of what dental hygienists can expect hourly based on projected BLS estimates, although it should be noted that most of these salaries are derived from annual data.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($82,822) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.62 | $260.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.06 | $288.46 |
| Median (P50) | $42.83 | $342.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.40 | $371.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.68 | $421.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Benton
Based on $42.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.83/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Benton, AR can expect to earn approximately $89,078 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,391. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Benton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Benton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,713.04 | $7,423 | $89,078 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,027.82 | $4,454 | $53,447 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $685.22 | $2,969 | $35,631 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Benton) | $42.83 |
| 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 Benton, AR earn a median of $89,081 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.47% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.00% below the Arkansas state average of $90,899.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.83/hr = $53,447/year (purchasing power: $61,504).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,078/year (purchasing power: $102,506).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$26.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.83/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+68.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Benton (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $26.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Benton grew 53.3% from $26.62/hr (2020) to $40.81/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.94/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 Benton 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 Benton
Considering the earning potential specifically for part-time dental hygienists, those committed to working three days a week, or around 24 hours, can anticipate taking home approximately $53,568 annually. This amount is understandably less than what a full-time hygienist would earn, yet it remains competitive for those who do not wish to commit to a full-time schedule. Additionally, per-diem dental hygienists may find their pay attractive, as temp agencies typically offer rates between $40 to $60 per hour, although higher costs of living can inflate these numbers in major cities. In Benton, varied employer types—ranging from solo practices to Dental Service Organizations—can also influence hourly wages. Hygienists sometimes balance trade-offs between lower hourly rates that include benefits and higher-paying roles without such perks. As these professionals navigate offers, they may want to prioritize negotiating for benefits if accepting positions that offer lower hourly pay due to the potential long-term savings on healthcare.
More salary data for Benton, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Benton in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Benton?
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Related Pages
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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 Benton. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Benton 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