Dental Assistant salary in Arkansas
Dental Assistants in Arkansas earn a median of $42,830 a year ($20.59 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,950 workers.
Pay ranges from $35,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,330 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $48,070. Arkansas ranks 46th of 50 states for dental assistants pay. There are 2.3 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,130, close to the median.
Pay range for dental assistants in Arkansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,060 | $16.85 |
| 25th percentile | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Median | $42,830 | $20.59 |
| 75th percentile | $46,730 | $22.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,330 | $23.24 |
| Average (mean) | $42,130 | $20.25 |
Half of dental assistants 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 | $3,569.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,784.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,647.31 |
| Weekly | $823.65 |
| Hourly | $20.59 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,830 salary, see how much house you can afford in Arkansas at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Assistant salary in cities in Arkansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $48,200 | 1,200 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $47,050 | 680 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $45,140 | 920 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $38,180 | 120 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $37,440 | 100 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $37,160 | 220 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $36,720 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for dental assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Minnesota | $65,270 |
| District of Columbia | $60,580 |
| Maine | $60,070 |
| New Hampshire | $59,530 |
| Oregon | $59,490 |
| Washington | $58,090 |
| Massachusetts | $57,980 |
| North Dakota | $57,770 |
| Alaska | $57,710 |
| Connecticut | $56,850 |
Related jobs in Arkansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $37,760 | $18.15 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,570 | $16.62 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,450 | $18.01 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Massage Therapist | $39,990 | $19.23 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $35,100 | $16.87 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $27,660 | $13.30 |
| Nursing Assistant | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $64,520 | $31.02 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $78,940 | $37.95 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Orderly | $31,540 | $15.16 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Arkansas
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-9091. 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 assistant make in Arkansas?
The median salary for dental assistants in Arkansas is $42,830 a year, or $20.59 an hour. Pay ranges from $35,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Arkansas?
The top 10% of dental assistants in Arkansas earn at least $48,330 a year. The top 25% earn $46,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Arkansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $35,060 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $36,790 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Arkansas?
About 2,950 dental assistants are employed in Arkansas, not counting the self-employed.