Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $42.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Fort Smith, AR runs $42.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,653 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,198 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, Arkansas, dental hygienists can expect a median hourly pay of $42.63, which is significantly below the national median hourly rate of $49.49. This discrepancy may impact those considering part-time positions or per diem work, which are common for dental hygienists. With typical work settings like general dentistry operatories and pediatric exam rooms, part-time hygienists working three days per week could find their earnings versatile, yet potentially limited compared to their full-time counterparts. The hourly pay ranges from $28.98 for entry-level positions to $49.59 for top earners, providing a broad spectrum of opportunities based on experience and employment setting. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the current compensation dynamics for the profession within the region.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.98 | $231.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.59 | $324.73 |
| Median (P50) | $42.63 | $341.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.12 | $376.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.59 | $396.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $42.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.63/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $88,663 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,152. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Smith.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Smith
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,705.07 | $7,389 | $88,663 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,023.04 | $4,433 | $53,198 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $682.03 | $2,955 | $35,465 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Fort Smith) | $42.63 |
| 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 Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $88,653 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.88% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.50% below the Arkansas state average of $90,926.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.63/hr = $53,198/year (purchasing power: $61,939).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,663/year (purchasing power: $103,231).
CoL index: 85.888 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$37.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.63/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Fort Smith (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $37.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Fort Smith grew 9.6% from $37.05/hr (2020) to $40.62/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.73/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 Fort Smith 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 Fort Smith
When examining part-time earnings for dental hygienists in Fort Smith, those working a 24-hour week could potentially see substantial annual income, albeit lower than full-time hygienists. Working part-time may lead to earnings that sit comfortably within the regional averages, though the benefits often offered by full-time employers, such as health insurance, represent a trade-off that many hygienists weigh carefully. Moreover, per diem dental hygienist pay in Fort Smith and its alliances with temp agencies often positions them closer to the lower end of the pay spectrum, typically yielding anywhere from $40-$60 per hour. This variation reflects the employer type, with solo practices often offering different compensation structures than Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) or specialty offices. In this evolving market, negotiation skills are vital; dental hygienists can utilize local labor market insights and specific employment benefits to enhance their bargaining power effectively.
More salary data for Fort Smith, 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
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 Fort Smith. 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