Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Conway, AR: $44.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Conway, AR runs $44.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,577 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Conway's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,940 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Conway, Arkansas, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to be $44.02 in 2026, which is lower than the national median of $49.49. This discrepancy in hourly rates can impact part-time workers significantly. For instance, those working three days a week could earn a reasonable income from this hourly rate while still having time for other pursuits. Per-diem dental hygienists may also find flexibility in their scheduling, working in various settings such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and public health clinics. The pay scale within Conway ranges from approximately $34.03 for entry-level positions to $55.77 for the top earners, based on projected estimates. These figures suggest that there is room for career advancement for those entering the job market or transitioning from other roles.
About the Conway Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($82,822) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.03 | $272.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.50 | $299.96 |
| Median (P50) | $44.02 | $352.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.53 | $388.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.77 | $446.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Conway
Based on $44.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.02/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Conway, AR can expect to earn approximately $91,566 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,827. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Conway.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Conway
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,760.89 | $7,631 | $91,566 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,056.54 | $4,578 | $54,940 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $704.36 | $3,052 | $36,627 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Conway) | $44.02 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
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.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.02/hr = $54,940/year (purchasing power: $63,222).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,566/year (purchasing power: $105,370).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$26.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.02/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+75.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Conway (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $26.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Conway grew 59.3% from $26.33/hr (2020) to $41.95/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.20/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Conway
Analyzing part-time opportunities reveals a notable earning potential for dental hygienists in Conway. A hygienist working just three days a week (24 hours) could net around $55,000 annually, compared to a full-time position that averages double that amount. This income structure attracts those seeking flexible schedules through per-diem or agency work, where pay rates generally range from $40 to $60 per hour, depending on the demand and employer. The variation in hourly rates can be stark among different employer types in Conway, as solo practices may pay less than larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which often offer additional benefits like health insurance. Some dental hygienists choose to accept lower hourly pay for the security of benefits, while others prefer higher pay without benefits to maintain their lifestyle. When negotiating salaries, practicing dental hygienists can consider the benefits trade-off and emphasize their skills and certifications from accredited programs, which could lead to more competitive offers.
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
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 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Conway. 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 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