Dental Hygienist Salary in Benton, AR: $89,081 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Benton, AR earns a median $89,081/year (≈ $42.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Benton's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $102,510 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Benton, Arkansas, the projected median annual salary for a dental hygienist in 2026 is $89,081, reflecting the area’s emerging demand within the healthcare sector. With only five dental hygienists currently employed in the area, this suggests a potentially lucrative niche for those entering the profession. The salary range spans from $67,848 at the 10th percentile to $109,570 at the 90th percentile, indicating diverse earning potential influenced by experience, location, and specific employer practices. These local estimates, drawn from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living factors, invite professional hygiene practitioners to consider Benton's job market as an attractive option despite slightly lower earnings when compared to the national median of $102,946 in 2026.
About the Benton Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($82,822) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,848 | $32.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,989 | $36.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,081 | $42.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,518 | $46.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,570 | $52.68 |
Median Salary Position
13.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Benton
In Benton, AR, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,722 (2026 est.). At $89,081, the local median is 13.47% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Benton: You'd be above the median
How Benton Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Benton median: $89,081/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Benton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $90,899 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -13.47% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Benton 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.
Benton, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $89,081 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $102,510 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$55,372
2025 BLS Actual
$84,888
2026 Current Est.
$89,081
2020–2027 Growth
+68.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Benton (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $55,372 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,515 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,302 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,176 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,939 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,888 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,081 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,482 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Benton metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 53.3% from $55,372 (2020) to $84,888 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,482 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,110 (68.83%) from 2020.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $67,848 – $74,989 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,989 – $89,081 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,081 – $96,518 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,518 – $109,570 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Benton
For dental hygienists in Benton, the 4.94% annual growth rate represents a sign of job market vitality, particularly as the cost of living index sits at 86.9, making the local economy favorable for healthcare professions. While there are limited employment options, the influence of various employers shapes dental hygienist pay in Benton, AR. Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen Dental often provide higher compensation packages, including production-based bonuses and sign-on incentives for new graduates, making them appealing to job seekers. However, the compensation gap can be sizeable, often driven by factors such as days-per-week schedules and benefits, with private practices typically offering fewer perks. To maximize earning potential, dental hygienists might consider working in group practices or hospitals where salaries are typically higher, along with negotiating bonuses for performance and considering multiple job offers to leverage competitive rates in a growing field.
More salary data for Benton, 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 $84,888 for dental hygienistsin the Benton 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 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