Dental Hygienist Salary in Jonesboro, AR: $90,931 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Jonesboro, AR earns a median $90,931/year (≈ $43.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Jonesboro's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $105,886 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jonesboro, Arkansas, the dental hygienist salary is projected to reach $90,931 in 2026, reflecting a strategic position in the state’s healthcare workforce. This figure is approximately 11.67% lower than the national average of $102,946 for dental hygienists. Salaries in the region typically range from $61,841 at the 10th percentile to $109,138 at the 90th percentile, indicating variability based on experience and other factors. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, highlights a competitive job market for dental hygienists in Jonesboro, with local demand influencing pay structures significantly.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,841 | $29.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,261 | $41.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,931 | $43.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,501 | $48.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,138 | $52.47 |
Median Salary Position
11.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jonesboro
In Jonesboro, AR, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,297 (2026 est.). At $90,931, the local median is 11.67% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jonesboro: You'd be above the median
How Jonesboro Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Jonesboro median: $90,931/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jonesboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $102,946 | -11.67% less |
Dental Hygienists in Jonesboro, AR earn a median of $90,931 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.67% lower than the national median of $102,946.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jonesboro has a cost of living 14.12% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jonesboro, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.876 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $90,931 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,886 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.45% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$75,160
2025 BLS Actual
$86,650
2026 Current Est.
$90,931
2020–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Jonesboro (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $75,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,931 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,422 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jonesboro metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 15.3% from $75,160 (2020) to $86,650 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,422 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,262 (26.96%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jonesboro 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) | $61,841 – $86,261 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,261 – $90,931 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,931 – $100,501 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,501 – $109,138 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Jonesboro
The local job market for dental hygienists in Jonesboro employs around 80 professionals, which contributes to a robust employment landscape in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 85.876, residents can enjoy a more favorable purchasing power compared to many parts of the country. Notably, salaries tend to vary considerably depending on the type of dental practice; larger organizations, like Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), often offer higher pay rates and comprehensive benefits, including sign-on bonuses for new hires. In contrast, smaller solo practices may provide limited financial compensation and fewer perks. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to various factors such as production-based bonuses, work schedule flexibility, and the differences in benefits packages between private offices and larger corporate entities. For those looking to maximize their income in Jonesboro, seeking employment with DSOs and prioritizing advanced credentials or specialties may yield higher pay rates and better overall compensation.
More salary data for Jonesboro, 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 $86,650 for dental hygienistsin the Jonesboro 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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 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