Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $18.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Fort Smith, AR runs $18.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,327 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,002 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Smith, the projected dental assistant hourly pay for 2026 is set at $18.43, a figure that lags behind the national average of $23.84 per hour. This difference will influence part-time and per-diem employees in various dental settings, including general dentistry operatory, pediatric focused offices, and cross-disciplinary environments like oral surgery rooms. Entry-level dental assistants can expect to earn around $15.57 per hour, while experienced professionals at the upper echelons of the wage scale may earn as much as $22.73 per hour. Such hourly rates provide opportunities for those seeking flexible work, enabling part-time employees to balance their schedules across multiple clinics or offices, while per-diem workers can find roles across diverse environments based on demand. The data referenced here is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.57 | $124.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.69 | $141.51 |
| Median (P50) | $18.43 | $147.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.32 | $178.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.73 | $181.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $18.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.43/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $38,337 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,117. With a cost-of-living index of 85.89 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Smith.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Smith
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $737.24 | $3,195 | $38,337 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $442.35 | $1,917 | $23,002 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $294.90 | $1,278 | $15,335 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Fort Smith) | $18.43 |
| Dental Hygienist (National Avg) | $42.45 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $20.14 |
| Pharmacy Technician (National Avg) | $19.27 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.36 |
Dental Assistants in Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $38,327 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.70% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.70% below the Arkansas state average of $38,597.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.43/hr = $23,002/year (purchasing power: $26,781).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,337/year (purchasing power: $44,636).
CoL index: 85.888 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+11.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Fort Smith (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Fort Smith grew 4.7% from $17.07/hr (2019) to $17.87/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.01/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Smith 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 3.14% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Assistant in Fort Smith
Part-time dental assistants working a typical 24-hour week can expect to take home approximately $22,282 annually, a stark contrast to full-time colleagues who earn more robust yearly amounts. Per-diem dental assistant pay in Fort Smith is particularly attractive, with common rates ranging from $22 to $35 per hour; those in specialized roles, like oral surgery or orthodontics, often command rates between $28 to $45 per hour. The hourly rates can fluctuate significantly depending on the employer type, with general dental practices offering slightly lower pay compared to specialized pediatric or orthodontic offices. Many dental assistants weigh their options between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates that include health insurance and other perks. Insight into negotiation can also play into a dental assistant’s career strategy; being aware of competitive pay from local agencies can empower individuals to advocate for better terms in permanent positions at Fort Smith practices. Understanding these aspects can help dental assistants make informed choices in their careers.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental assistants in Fort Smith. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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 3.14%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental assistants (SOC 31-9091).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, CDA, RDH, a licensed dental assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov