Dental Hygienist Salary in Bentonville, AR: $89,831 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Bentonville, AR earns a median $89,831/year (≈ $43.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Bentonville's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $103,373 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bentonville, AR, the projected median annual dental hygienist salary for 2026 stands at $89,831, which reflects a nuanced local economic landscape when contrasted with the national median of $102,946. This local figure represents a salary range from $64,998 at the 10th percentile to $111,508 at the 90th percentile. These numbers, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional price disparities, illustrate that while compensation for hygienists in Bentonville is competitive, it falls short of the national average by approximately 12.74%. Additionally, the job market for dental hygienists in this area reflects a stable, albeit small, employment pool, indicating potential for growth as demand for dental services continues to rise.
About the Bentonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($82,822) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,998 | $31.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,565 | $37.77 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,831 | $43.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,658 | $46.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,508 | $53.61 |
Median Salary Position
12.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bentonville
In Bentonville, AR, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,510 (2026 est.). At $89,831, the local median is 12.74% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bentonville: You'd be above the median
How Bentonville Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Bentonville median: $89,831/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bentonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $90,922 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -12.74% less |
Dental Hygienists in Bentonville, AR earn a median of $89,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.74% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.20% below the Arkansas state average of $90,922.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bentonville 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.
Bentonville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $89,831 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,373 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$55,838
2025 BLS Actual
$85,602
2026 Current Est.
$89,831
2020–2027 Growth
+68.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Bentonville (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $55,838 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,167 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,944 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,825 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,421 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,602 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,831 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,268 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bentonville metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 53.3% from $55,838 (2020) to $85,602 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,268 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,430 (68.82%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bentonville 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) | $64,998 – $78,565 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,565 – $89,831 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,831 – $97,658 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,658 – $111,508 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Bentonville
As the cost of living index in Bentonville is notably below the national average at 86.9, the take-home purchasing power for dental hygienists should be viewed in context. The 12 dental hygienists currently employed suggest a steady demand for services, but the variation in pay can often be attributed to the type of employer. Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) frequently offer higher salaries through enticing sign-on bonuses and better benefits compared to solo practices. Factors that cause pay disparities include commission-based bonuses tied to performance metrics, differences in weekly work schedules, and the inclusion of comprehensive benefits packages in larger dental groups. For those looking to maximize their dental hygienist pay in Bentonville, aligning with a DSO, understanding employer compensation structures, and considering additional certifications can create more opportunities for higher earnings in this evolving field.
More salary data for Bentonville, 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 $85,602 for dental hygienistsin the Bentonville 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 Bentonville 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