Dental Assistant Salary in Fayetteville, AR: $48,527 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Fayetteville, AR earns a median $48,527/year (≈ $23.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.4), that paycheck buys what $53,120 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.7% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, dental assistants can expect a median annual salary of $48,527, which reflects slightly below the national median of $49,579 for 2026. The projected salary range for this role varies significantly from $36,439 at the 10th percentile to $50,425 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diverse opportunities available both in general practices and among larger dental service organization (DSO) chains. As the dental landscape shifts increasingly toward DSO operations, many assistants find themselves under pay scales that can standardize wages, while solo practices may offer greater flexibility but vary in pay scale. Those considering a career as a dental assistant in Fayetteville will find that the local market offers a competitive environment influenced by the increasing consolidation of dental practices.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,439 | $17.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,605 | $18.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,527 | $23.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,775 | $23.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,425 | $24.25 |
Median Salary Position
2.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, AR, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,986 (2026 est.). At $48,527, the local median is 2.12% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Fayetteville Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $48,527/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $38,606 | +25.70% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -2.12% less |
Dental Assistants in Fayetteville, AR earn a median of $48,527 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.12% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 25.70% above the Arkansas state average of $38,606.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, AR has a cost-of-living index of 91.353 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $48,527 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,120 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.46% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,860
2025 BLS Actual
$47,050
2026 Current Est.
$48,527
2019–2027 Growth
+35.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,527 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,051 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 27.6% from $36,860 (2019) to $47,050 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,051 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,191 (35.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $36,439 – $38,605 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,605 – $48,527 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,527 – $49,775 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,775 – $50,425 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Fayetteville
With approximately 680 dental assistants currently employed in Fayetteville, the job market remains robust, albeit influenced by the local cost of living index, which stands at 91.353. This lower cost of living can provide an enhanced purchasing power for dental assistants, as salaries generally stretch further than in higher-cost regions. Employers such as Heartland Dental and Aspen Dental typically offer the highest pay within the area, driven by the standardized pay scales consistent with DSO chain policies. The variance in earnings can also be attributed to several factors, including specialization—oral surgery and orthodontics tend to pay more than general dentistry—and additional qualifications like EFDA credentials. For those looking to maximize their dental assistant pay in Fayetteville, pursuing specialized training or seeking roles within high-paying specialty practices can be advantageous steps toward achieving their desired income levels.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $47,050 for dental assistantsin the Fayetteville metropolitan area. A 3.14% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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