Explore careers
verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Dental Assistant Salary in Arkansas

Median Annual in Arkansas
$42,830/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$20.59/hr
▼ 11% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in Arkansas

groups Employed in AR
2,950
public U.S. Median
$48,070
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$49,266 #27 of 50

Dental Assistant pay in Arkansas, explained

Dental assistants in Arkansas earn a median of $42,830 per year ($20.59 per hour), which is 11% below the national median of $48,070. Entry-level workers earn around $35,060, while the most experienced dental assistants reach about $48,330. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within Arkansas.

Is $42,830 good pay in Arkansas?

Adjusted for Arkansas's cost of living (which runs 87% of the U.S. average), that $42,830 is worth about $49,266 in national buying power — ranking Arkansas #27 for real pay (vs #46 on the sticker number).

See the full Dental Assistant Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Dental Assistant pay by experience in Arkansas

Entry level (10th pct)
$35,060
$16.86/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$42,830
$20.59/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$48,330
$23.24/hr

Dental Assistant pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs AR
Arkansas (here) $42,830 $49,266 —
Tennessee $46,720 $50,854 −$3,890
Missouri $45,970 $50,618 −$3,140
Oklahoma $45,740 $52,070 −$2,910
Texas $45,430 $46,808 −$2,600
Louisiana $44,090 $49,985 −$1,260
Mississippi $39,160 $45,036 +$3,670

Dental Assistant in Arkansas: FAQ

How much do dental assistants make in Arkansas?

Dental assistants in Arkansas earn a median of $42,830 per year ($20.59 per hour), compared with $48,070 nationally.

Does Arkansas pay dental assistants well?

At $42,830, Arkansas pays 11% below the national median for dental assistants. An estimated 2,950 work in the state.

Dental Assistant salary in other states

Minnesota · $65,270 District of Columbia · $60,580 Maine · $60,070 New Hampshire · $59,530 Oregon · $59,490 Washington · $58,090 Massachusetts · $57,980 North Dakota · $57,770 Alaska · $57,710 Connecticut · $56,850 Vermont · $52,760 North Carolina · $50,380

All 50 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in Arkansas

Dental Hygienist $86,760/yr median Medical Assistant $37,760/yr median Dentist $178,930/yr median