Dental Hygienist salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Dental Hygienists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $84,480 a year ($40.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $57,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,300 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 3% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $86,760. There are 1.6 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,030, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,440 | $27.62 |
| 25th percentile | $80,450 | $38.68 |
| Median | $84,480 | $40.62 |
| 75th percentile | $93,380 | $44.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,300 | $47.26 |
| Average (mean) | $82,030 | $39.44 |
Half of dental hygienists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,040 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,520 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,249.23 |
| Weekly | $1,624.62 |
| Hourly | $40.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Hygienist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa, OK | $100,350 | 820 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $97,110 | 1,420 |
| Lawton, OK | $92,210 | 70 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $89,160 | 490 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $87,210 | 410 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $86,650 | 80 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $82,970 | 70 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $82,800 | 70 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $78,580 | 650 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
See Dental Hygienist pay in every state or the Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,870 | $38.40 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,270 | $62.15 |
| Physicians, All Other | $258,130 | $124.10 |
| Pharmacist | $133,520 | $64.19 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,730 | $47.47 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $81,300 | $39.09 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,740 | $46.99 |
| Dentists, General | $165,060 | $79.36 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $78,080 | $37.54 |
| Physician Assistant | $119,840 | $57.61 |
| Therapists, All Other | $70,520 | $33.90 |
| Optometrist | $109,200 | $52.50 |
| Veterinarian | $104,110 | $50.06 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $55,880 | $26.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental hygienist make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $84,480 a year, or $40.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $57,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $98,300 a year. The top 25% earn $93,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $57,440 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $80,450 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 150 dental hygienists are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.