Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Little Rock, AR: $22.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Little Rock, AR runs $22.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,557 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Little Rock's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,932 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Little Rock, Arkansas, the dental assistant hourly pay reflects a median rate of $22.38, which is slightly lower than the national median hourly rate of $23.84. This hourly wage is particularly significant for part-time workers, often employed three days a week in various dental settings, such as general dentistry operatories and pediatric exam rooms. For per-diem dental assistants, the ability to earn wages in the range of $17.86 to $23.61 per hour creates flexible opportunities in the local job market. With entry-level positions starting at approximately $17.86, and the highest earners reaching up to $23.61, the hourly pay structure allows for a diverse range of work arrangements, including roles within orthodontic practices and oral surgery facilities. These statistics come from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Dental Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.86 | $142.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.69 | $149.51 |
| Median (P50) | $22.38 | $179.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.64 | $181.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.61 | $188.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Little Rock
Based on $22.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.38/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Little Rock, AR can expect to earn approximately $46,553 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,858. With a cost-of-living index of 89.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Little Rock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Little Rock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $895.26 | $3,879 | $46,553 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $537.15 | $2,328 | $27,932 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $358.10 | $1,552 | $18,621 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Little Rock) | $22.38 |
| 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 Little Rock, AR earn a median of $46,557 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.10% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 20.60% above the Arkansas state average of $38,605.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.38/hr = $27,932/year (purchasing power: $31,256).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,553/year (purchasing power: $52,094).
CoL index: 89.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Little Rock grew 28.3% from $16.92/hr (2019) to $21.70/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.08/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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock
When examining the annual earnings potential for a dental assistant who works part-time in Little Rock, a schedule of three days a week can yield around $27,783 annually, a stark contrast to the full-time average. For per-diem workers, rates typically fall between $22 and $35 per hour, with specialized roles in oral surgery or orthodontics reaching $28 to $45 per hour, showcasing the varied employment options available. Employers in Little Rock, ranging from solo dental practices to large DSO chains like Heartland and Pacific Dental, offer different pay structures that may impact hourly compensation. Some dental assistants may opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, while others prefer higher rates without such perks. Negotiating salaries can be an effective strategy, especially considering the ongoing demand for dental assistants in this growing market. Understanding local market conditions, including demand and variations in employer size, is essential for those looking to maximize their dental assistant hourly rate in AR.
More salary data for Little Rock, 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 Little Rock. 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