Dental Assistant Hourly Pay in Russellville, AR: $17.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental assistant working in Russellville, AR runs $17.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $37,321 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Weighted against Russellville's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,397 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Russellville, AR, a dental assistant earns a median hourly pay of $17.95, which is notably lower than the national median of $23.84. This discrepancy means that those working in the area may find their earnings limited compared to counterparts in other regions. The hourly range for dental assistants varies, with entry-level positions earning around $14.99 and top earners reaching up to $22.88. For part-time and per-diem workers, who may operate in diverse settings like general dentistry offices, orthodontic practices, or even dental school clinics, this hourly pay translates to different weekly and annual earnings. For example, a dental assistant working three days a week would have unique financial dynamics compared to a full-time professional, particularly given the hourly rates are derived from projected annual salary data.
About the Russellville 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) | $14.99 | $119.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.18 | $137.46 |
| Median (P50) | $17.95 | $143.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.64 | $173.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.88 | $183.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Russellville
Based on $17.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.95/hr, a dental assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Russellville, AR can expect to earn approximately $37,328 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,536. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Russellville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Russellville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $717.85 | $3,111 | $37,328 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $430.71 | $1,866 | $22,397 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $287.14 | $1,244 | $14,931 |
Compare DA, CDA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Assistant (Russellville) | $17.95 |
| 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 Russellville, AR earn a median of $37,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.72% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 3.40% below the Arkansas state average of $38,635.
Dental Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.95/hr = $22,397/year (purchasing power: $25,773).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $37,328/year (purchasing power: $42,956).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Russellville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental assistants in Russellville grew 19.9% from $14.51/hr (2019) to $17.40/hr (2025). At a 3.14% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.51/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 Russellville 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 Russellville
When considering the potential for part-time work, a dental assistant who works 24 hours a week at the median hourly rate takes home approximately $22,536 annually. Per-diem and agency positions, which typically command higher pay, present another avenue for those in the profession. Per-diem dental assistants can frequently bill between $22 and $35 an hour, while rates for specialty services like oral surgery can reach $28 to $45 per hour. Employers such as general dental practices, pediatric offices, and specialty clinics in Russellville offer varied hourly rates, reflective of their operational needs and benefit packages. Many dental assistants weigh the trade-offs between accepting lower hourly rates for steady employment and health insurance versus pursuing higher pay without benefits. For those in the field, negotiating pay effectively requires an understanding of these dynamics and staying informed about local rates and opportunities in the evolving DSO landscape.
More salary data for Russellville, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental assistants in Russellville in 2026?
How much do part-time dental assistants make in Russellville?
Are dental assistants in Russellville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental assistant make per year in Russellville?
Do dental assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Russellville?
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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 Russellville. 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 Russellville 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