Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Jonesboro, AR: $18.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Jonesboro, AR runs $18.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $37,873 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Jonesboro's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,719 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jonesboro, Arkansas, the dental assistant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $18.20, which is notably lower than the national median of $23.84 per hour, indicating a potential disparity in compensation for dental professionals in the area. This hourly rate reflects the typical pay structures found in various clinical settings, such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and orthodontic practices. Part-time workers, who might average around three days a week, can expect to earn between $17.31 and $23.43 an hour, depending on their experience and the type of practice they work for. The entry-level dental assistants can expect to start near the bottom of this range, while highly skilled professionals can command rates that are more competitive within the local market.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.31 | $138.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.43 | $139.45 |
| Median (P50) | $18.20 | $145.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.65 | $181.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.43 | $187.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jonesboro
Based on $18.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.20/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jonesboro, AR can expect to earn approximately $37,865 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,845. With a cost-of-living index of 85.88 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jonesboro.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jonesboro
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $728.17 | $3,155 | $37,865 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $436.90 | $1,893 | $22,719 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $291.27 | $1,262 | $15,146 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Jonesboro) | $18.20 |
| 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 Jonesboro, AR earn a median of $37,873 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.61% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.90% below the Arkansas state average of $38,607.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.20/hr = $22,719/year (purchasing power: $26,455).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $37,865/year (purchasing power: $44,092).
CoL index: 85.876 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+8.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Jonesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Jonesboro grew 2.1% from $17.28/hr (2019) to $17.65/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.78/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 Jonesboro 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 Jonesboro
In terms of part-time earning potential, a dental assistant working 24 hours a week would take home around $18,892 annually, compared to full-time workers who may earn significantly more. For those looking into per diem opportunities, the per diem dental assistant pay in Jonesboro can range from $22 to $35 an hour, with specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics potentially yielding $28 to $45 per hour. Additionally, the hourly rates can fluctuate widely based on employer types; dental assistants in corporate practices like those owned by Heartland or Aspen might see structured pay scales, while private offices may offer room for negotiation. Some dental assistants may trade off higher hourly pay for benefits, particularly in a market where health insurance can be a considerable deciding factor. For those in Jonesboro, understanding the nuances of negotiation, such as emphasizing any certifications from DANB or specialized EFDA training, could provide an advantage in securing more favorable conditions.
More salary data for Jonesboro, 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 Jonesboro. 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