Dental Hygienist Salary in Hot Springs, AR: $87,069 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Hot Springs, AR earns a median $87,069/year (≈ $41.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Hot Springs's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $101,562 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the estimated median salary for dental hygienists in Hot Springs, Arkansas is projected to be $87,069, which reflects a significant affordability consideration when adjusted for the local cost of living index of 85.73. With a full salary range spanning from $59,102 at the 10th percentile to $108,949 at the 90th percentile, dental hygienists in this area experience a varied pay scale. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, reveals a noteworthy gap compared to the national median salary of $102,946, highlighting a 15.42% disparity. For those looking to grow their careers in Hot Springs, understanding these metrics is essential to navigating the local job market effectively.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,102 | $28.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,895 | $39.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,069 | $41.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,744 | $46.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,949 | $52.38 |
Median Salary Position
15.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hot Springs
In Hot Springs, AR, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,847 (2026 est.). At $87,069, the local median is 15.42% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hot Springs: You'd be above the median
How Hot Springs Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Hot Springs median: $87,069/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hot Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $90,886 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -15.42% less |
Dental Hygienists in Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $87,069 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.42% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.20% below the Arkansas state average of $90,886.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hot Springs has a cost of living 14.27% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hot Springs, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.73 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $87,069 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,562 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.65% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$55,320
2025 BLS Actual
$82,970
2026 Current Est.
$87,069
2020–2027 Growth
+65.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Hot Springs (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $55,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,069 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,370 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hot Springs metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 50.0% from $55,320 (2020) to $82,970 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,370 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,050 (65.17%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hot Springs 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) | $59,102 – $81,895 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,895 – $87,069 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,069 – $96,744 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,744 – $108,949 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Hot Springs
Hot Springs employs about 70 dental hygienists, indicating a stable demand in the local healthcare sector. The cost of living impacts real purchasing power, making it crucial for professionals to consider where they work. Dental hygienists in larger practices or Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often enjoy better salaries and benefits compared to smaller, solo practices that might lack health insurance. The salary range in this market is influenced by performance-based incentives, such as production bonuses tied to patient retention, and work schedules that vary between four-day and five-day work weeks. For maximized earnings, targeting positions in DSOs or specialized practices may yield more lucrative compensation packages, along with retention bonuses that can enhance overall pay significantly in a competitive field.
More salary data for Hot Springs, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Hot Springs?
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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 $82,970 for dental hygienistsin the Hot Springs 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