Dental Assistant Salary in Texarkana, AR: $39,050 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental assistant in Texarkana, AR earns a median $39,050/year (≈ $18.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-9091). Once you factor in Texarkana's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $44,937 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Texarkana, Arkansas, dental assistants benefit from a median annual salary of $39,050, which reflects a strategic advantage tied to the state's EFDA expanded function rules. These rules allow dental assistants with EFDA credentials to perform a broader range of tasks, subsequently driving salaries higher than the general market may suggest. The salary range for this occupation spans from $32,314 at the lower end (P10) to $49,431 at the upper end (P90), demonstrating significant potential for experienced individuals. The estimates provided are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and also account for local cost adjustments. This local context is critical, especially given Texarkana's building job market stability, which is poised for steady growth.
About the Texarkana Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($35,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,314 | $15.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,176 | $17.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $39,050 | $18.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,877 | $22.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49,431 | $23.76 |
Median Salary Position
21.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Texarkana
In Texarkana, AR, the dental assistant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,117 (2026 est.). At $39,050, the local median is 21.24% below the national median of $49,579.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Texarkana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Texarkana Dental Assistant Pay Compares
Texarkana median: $39,050/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Texarkana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $38,625 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $49,579 | -21.24% less |
Dental Assistants in Texarkana, AR earn a median of $39,050 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.24% lower than the national median of $49,579 and 1.10% above the Arkansas state average of $38,625.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Texarkana has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Texarkana, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A dental assistant earning $39,050 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,937 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,568
2025 BLS Actual
$37,861
2026 Current Est.
$39,050
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Assistants in Texarkana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.14% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,568 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,434 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,449 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,301 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,656 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,256 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,861 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,050 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40,276 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Texarkana metropolitan area, the median dental assistant salary grew 19.9% from $31,568 (2019) to $37,861 (2025). At a 3.14% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $40,276 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,708 (27.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texarkana 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) | $32,314 – $37,176 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,176 – $39,050 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $39,050 – $46,877 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,877 – $49,431 |
DA, CDA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental assistant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Assistant Job Market in Texarkana
With just seven dental assistants currently employed in Texarkana, the job market may seem limited, but it also creates unique opportunities for those entering the field. The city's cost of living index stands at 86.9, suggesting that housing and everyday expenses are lower than many other regions, enhancing the purchasing power of dental assistants here. Among local employers, general dental practices, including DSO chains like Heartland and Aspen, tend to offer the most competitive pay, particularly for those in specialized roles such as orthodontics or oral surgery. The variation in pay can be attributed to specialty areas, EFDA credentials, and roles that combine coordination responsibilities. For dental assistants seeking to maximize their compensation in Texarkana, targeting DSO opportunities, pursuing additional certifications, and possibly taking on hybrid roles could be key strategies for advancing their careers while capitalizing on the evolving landscape of dental services in the area.
More salary data for Texarkana, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $37,861 for dental assistantsin the Texarkana 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
Salary data for Texarkana 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