Dental Hygienist Salary in Bryant, AR: $85,923 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Bryant, AR earns a median $85,923/year (≈ $41.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Bryant's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $98,876 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Bryant, AR, can expect a median annual salary of $85,923, which is significantly lower than the national median of $102,946, indicating a competitive yet saturated local job market. The salary range is quite broad, with entry-level positions starting around $67,122 and experienced professionals earning up to $101,395. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS Occupational Employment Statistics data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost variations. With only four dental hygienists employed in the area, job opportunities may be limited, suggesting that dental hygiene professionals may need to consider additional strategies to enhance their earning potential.
About the Bryant Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($82,822) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,122 | $32.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,974 | $35.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,923 | $41.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,204 | $43.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,395 | $48.74 |
Median Salary Position
16.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bryant
In Bryant, AR, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,273 (2026 est.). At $85,923, the local median is 16.54% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bryant: You'd be above the median
How Bryant Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Bryant median: $85,923/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bryant Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $90,924 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -16.54% less |
Dental Hygienists in Bryant, AR earn a median of $85,923 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.54% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.50% below the Arkansas state average of $90,924.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bryant 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.
Bryant, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $85,923 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,876 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.08% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$53,409
2025 BLS Actual
$81,878
2026 Current Est.
$85,923
2020–2027 Growth
+68.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Bryant (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $53,409 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,766 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,596 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,439 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,512 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,878 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,923 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,167 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bryant metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 53.3% from $53,409 (2020) to $81,878 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,167 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,758 (68.82%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bryant 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) | $67,122 – $72,974 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,974 – $85,923 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,923 – $91,204 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,204 – $101,395 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Bryant
Working in Bryant also presents a unique cost-of-living scenario, with an index of 86.9, making living expenses lower than the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance purchasing power, but it's essential to recognize the variability in pay across different types of dental practices. Multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Aspen and Heartland Dental typically offer the highest salaries due to their comprehensive benefits packages and production-based incentives. Factors influencing the salary spectrum include bonuses tied to patient retention, varying weekly work schedules, and health benefits, which can differ significantly between private practices and larger organizations. To maximize dental hygienist pay in Bryant, professionals should consider positioning themselves with DSOs, exploring all potential bonuses, and being open to flexible working arrangements that can lead to higher overall compensation.
More salary data for Bryant, 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 $81,878 for dental hygienistsin the Bryant 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 Bryant 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