Dental Assistant salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK
Dental Assistants in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn a median of $37,160 a year ($17.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 220 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,840 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $48,070. Pay here is 13% lower than the Arkansas statewide median of $42,830. There are 2.3 dental assistants per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $40,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental assistants in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,420 | $15.10 |
| 25th percentile | $35,680 | $17.15 |
| Median | $37,160 | $17.87 |
| 75th percentile | $45,000 | $21.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,840 | $22.04 |
| Average (mean) | $40,150 | $19.30 |
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 | $3,096.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,548.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,429.23 |
| Weekly | $714.62 |
| Hourly | $17.87 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,160 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $48,200 | 1,200 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $47,050 | 680 |
| Tulsa, OK | $46,510 | 1,440 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $46,250 | 1,820 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $45,140 | 920 |
| Lawton, OK | $43,430 | 120 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $38,180 | 120 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $37,440 | 100 |
| Enid, OK | $37,320 | 70 |
| 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 |
See Dental Assistant pay in every state or the Arkansas statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fort Smith, AR-OK
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Assistant | $37,380 | $17.97 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $32,590 | $15.67 |
| Phlebotomist | $34,860 | $16.76 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $34,360 | $16.52 |
| Massage Therapist | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $28,410 | $13.66 |
| Nursing Assistant | $32,020 | $15.39 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $63,210 | $30.39 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $80,660 | $38.78 |
More: Healthcare Support 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 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 Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The median salary for dental assistants in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area is $37,160 a year, or $17.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,420 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental assistants make in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
The top 10% of dental assistants in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area earn at least $45,840 a year. The top 25% earn $45,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental assistants in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,420 a year, and a quarter of dental assistants earn $35,680 or less.
How many dental assistants work in Fort Smith, AR-OK?
About 220 dental assistants are employed in the Fort Smith, AR-OK metro area, not counting the self-employed.