Dental Hygienist Salary in Fayetteville, AR: $91,518 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Fayetteville, AR earns a median $91,518/year (≈ $44.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.4), that paycheck buys what $100,181 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, the projected median salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is estimated to be $91,518, which indicates a slightly lower earning potential compared to the national median of $102,946. This figure suggests that while local wages are competitive, they may not keep pace with the national average, reflecting the area’s overall cost of living indexed at 91.353. The salary range for dental hygienists in Fayetteville varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $63,730 and the top 90% reaching $101,005, highlighting the diverse opportunities available within the market. The 2026 estimates, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, provide a clear snapshot of what dental hygienists can expect in terms of compensation as the field continues to grow at an annual rate of 4.94%.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,730 | $30.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,724 | $43.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,518 | $44.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,224 | $47.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,005 | $48.56 |
Median Salary Position
11.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, AR, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,275 (2026 est.). At $91,518, the local median is 11.1% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Fayetteville Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $91,518/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $90,972 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -11.10% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 91.353 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $91,518 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,181 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.47% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$67,670
2025 BLS Actual
$87,210
2026 Current Est.
$91,518
2020–2027 Growth
+41.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Fayetteville (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $67,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,020 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,518 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,039 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 28.9% from $67,670 (2020) to $87,210 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,039 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,369 (41.92%) from 2020.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $63,730 – $89,724 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,724 – $91,518 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,518 – $98,224 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,224 – $101,005 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Fayetteville
The job market for dental hygienists in Fayetteville is robust, with about 410 professionals currently employed in the area. This strong demand, combined with a cost-of-living index that suggests a lower than average expense for residents, enhances the purchasing power of local salaries, particularly for those in full-time positions. Employers in the region vary widely, with multi-doctor group practices generally offering higher pay compared to private solo practices. Factors such as production-based bonuses, flexible work schedules, and benefit packages play a significant role in salary variances; for instance, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often provide enticing sign-on bonuses and full benefits that private practices may not match. For those looking to maximize their dental hygienist pay in Fayetteville, pursuing employment with DSOs or actively negotiating terms related to workload and benefits can lead to more lucrative opportunities.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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 $87,210 for dental hygienistsin the Fayetteville 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
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