Dental Hygienist Salary in Conway, AR: $91,577 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Conway, AR earns a median $91,577/year (≈ $44.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Conway's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $105,382 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Conway, Arkansas, can expect a median annual salary of $91,577, which is notably lower than the national median of $102,946. The salary for dental hygienists in the area ranges from $70,786 at the 10th percentile to $115,991 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities and varying pay structures available within the region. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional price parity. As the job market begins to stabilize post-pandemic, the demand for skilled dental hygienists remains relatively steady, ensuring continued employment for the 14 professionals currently working in Conway.
About the Conway Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($82,822) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,786 | $34.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,991 | $37.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,577 | $44.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,946 | $48.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,991 | $55.77 |
Median Salary Position
11.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Conway
In Conway, AR, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,205 (2026 est.). At $91,577, the local median is 11.04% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Conway: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Conway Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Conway median: $91,577/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Conway Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $90,940 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -11.04% less |
Dental Hygienists in Conway, AR earn a median of $91,577 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.04% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.70% above the Arkansas state average of $90,940.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Conway 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.
Conway, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $91,577 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,382 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$54,768
2025 BLS Actual
$87,266
2026 Current Est.
$91,577
2020–2027 Growth
+75.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Conway (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $54,768 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,669 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,469 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,334 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,528 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,266 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,577 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,101 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Conway metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 59.3% from $54,768 (2020) to $87,266 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,101 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,333 (75.47%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Conway 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 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-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) | $70,786 – $77,991 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,991 – $91,577 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,577 – $100,946 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,946 – $115,991 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Conway
Examining the job market for dental hygienist pay in Conway, AR, reveals a cost of living index of 86.9, lower than the national average. This suggests that while salaries may be lower compared to larger markets, the purchasing power for dental hygienists is relatively favorable. Among local employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen often provide higher compensation and benefits compared to solo practices, attracting many new graduates with sign-on bonuses and more comprehensive insurance packages. The disparity in salaries can largely be attributed to factors such as production-based bonuses linked to patient retention and differing work schedules. To maximize earnings in this market, dental hygienists may benefit from seeking employment with DSOs or prioritizing practices that offer full-time schedules, which can enhance financial well-being as they navigate their careers in Conway.
More salary data for Conway, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
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 $87,266 for dental hygienistsin the Conway metropolitan area. A 4.94% 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 Conway 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 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov