Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Jacksonville, AR: $18.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Jacksonville, AR runs $18.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,337 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Jacksonville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,002 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Jacksonville, AR, dental assistants earn a median hourly pay of $18.43, which falls significantly below the national median hourly rate of $23.84. This discrepancy suggests that dental assistants in Jacksonville might face challenges in achieving higher wages, particularly affecting those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For instance, a dental assistant working three days a week may find the pay sufficient for a modest lifestyle, but it still could limit options for financial growth. Within this profession, hourly rates range from $14.70 at entry-level positions to $23.33 for the top earners in the field. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, indicating a structured pay scale that reflects both experience and specialization in various work settings, including general dentistry and specialty practices related to pediatric, oral surgery, and orthodontics.
About the Jacksonville Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($35,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.70 | $117.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.14 | $137.13 |
| Median (P50) | $18.43 | $147.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.12 | $176.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.33 | $186.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jacksonville
Based on $18.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.43/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jacksonville, 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 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jacksonville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jacksonville
| 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 (Jacksonville) | $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 Jacksonville, AR earn a median of $38,337 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.67% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 0.70% below the Arkansas state average of $38,607.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.43/hr = $23,002/year (purchasing power: $26,470).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,337/year (purchasing power: $44,116).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.52/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 Jacksonville grew 19.9% from $14.90/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 Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville
The earning potential for dental assistants practicing part-time in Jacksonville can diverge significantly from their full-time peers. A part-time dental assistant working 24 hours a week might bring home less overall compared to full-time workers, making strategic choices crucial. Meanwhile, the per diem dental assistant pay in Jacksonville can be lucrative, with rates typically varying from $22 to $35 per hour. More specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics can command even higher rates, sometimes reaching $28 to $45 per hour. Hourly compensation often fluctuates based on the employer type, where general practices, orthodontics, and specialty clinics may offer different values. Benefits can play a large role in compensation negotiations; some dental assistants may accept positions with lower hourly pay in exchange for health benefits, while others may prefer higher per-hour rates without insurance. The dynamics of DSO chains like Heartland and Pacific Dental can also create a distinct hiring environment, with differing pay scales across locations. For those in Jacksonville, understanding local wage patterns, employer expectations, and effective negotiation tactics can empower them to navigate their career paths more effectively.
More salary data for Jacksonville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Jacksonville in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Jacksonville?
Are dental assistants in Jacksonville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Jacksonville?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Jacksonville?
Related Pages
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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 Jacksonville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Jacksonville 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 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