Dental Assistant Pay

Little Rock vs Rogers: Dental Assistant Salary (2026)

Compare dental assistant salaries between Little Rock, AR and Rogers, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Little Rock, AR
$46,557
$22.38/hr
Rogers, AR
$49,322
$23.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLittle Rock, ARRogers, AR
Median Salary$46,557$49,322
Hourly Rate$22.38$23.71
Entry Level (P10)$37,151$37,595
25th Percentile$38,873$44,748
75th Percentile$47,083$59,699
Top Earner (P90)$49,115$63,669
Total Employed92011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Little Rock ($46,557) and Rogers ($49,322) dental assistant salaries.Little RockRogersMedian Salary$46,557$49,322Entry Level (P10)$37,151$37,595Top Earner (P90)$49,115$63,669US Median $49,579

Verdict

Rogers, AR offers better overall compensation for dental assistants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Little Rock.

The salary gap between Little Rock and Rogers is $2,765 (5.94%). Rogers's median is -0.52% compared to the US national median of $49,579.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Little Rock spans $11,964,Rogers spans $26,074. Rogers has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental assistants.

Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$37,151
P25$38,873
Median$46,557
P75$47,083
P90 (Top)$49,115
Rogers
P10 (Entry)$37,595
P25$44,748
Median$49,322
P75$59,699
P90 (Top)$63,669

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rogers ($56,757 effective) pays 8.94% more than Little Rock ($52,098 effective).

Little Rock
Nominal: $46,557
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $52,098
Rogers
Nominal: $49,322
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $56,757

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Little Rock if…

  • Larger job market (920 employed)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Rogers if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,322/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,669)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,757)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental assistant salaries in Little Rock grew 28.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 56.3% growth in Rogers over the same period.

Little Rock, AR

+28.2%

$35,200 (2019) → $45,140 (2025)

Rogers, AR

+56.3%

$30,603 (2024) → $47,820 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental assistants more: Little Rock or Rogers?

Rogers has a higher median dental assistant salary at $49,322/year, compared to Little Rock at $46,557/year — a difference of $2,765 (5.94%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Little Rock and Rogers?

Little Rock dental assistants earn $22.38/hr while Rogers hygienists earn $23.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Little Rock to Rogers as a dental assistant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Little Rock and Rogers. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Little Rock = $52,098, Rogers = $56,757), job availability (920 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental assistants earn in Little Rock vs Rogers?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental assistants earn $37,151 in Little Rock and $37,595 in Rogers. The Rogers area offers higher starting salaries.
MG

Written by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH

Career Analyst

Maria Gonzalez has over 10 years of experience in dental assisting. She specializes in pediatric dentistry. She works in a private dental practice.

Clinically reviewed by James Thompson, CDAData verified by Aisha Patel, CDA, MA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.14% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov