Dental Hygienist Pay

Cabot vs Little Rock: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Cabot, AR and Little Rock, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cabot, AR
$87,486
$42.06/hr
Little Rock, AR
$93,565
$44.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCabot, ARLittle Rock, AR
Median Salary$87,486$93,565
Hourly Rate$42.06$44.99
Entry Level (P10)$71,240$87,310
25th Percentile$75,106$89,283
75th Percentile$96,204$96,503
Top Earner (P90)$109,930$100,984
Total Employed4490
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cabot ($87,486) and Little Rock ($93,565) dental hygienist salaries.CabotLittle RockMedian Salary$87,486$93,565Entry Level (P10)$71,240$87,310Top Earner (P90)$109,930$100,984US Median $102,946

Verdict

Little Rock, AR offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Cabot.

The salary gap between Cabot and Little Rock is $6,079 (6.95%). Little Rock's median is -9.11% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cabot spans $38,690,Little Rock spans $13,674. Cabot has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cabot
P10 (Entry)$71,240
P25$75,106
Median$87,486
P75$96,204
P90 (Top)$109,930
Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$87,310
P25$89,283
Median$93,565
P75$96,503
P90 (Top)$100,984

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Little Rock ($104,701 effective) pays 4.00% more than Cabot ($100,674 effective).

Cabot
Nominal: $87,486
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $100,674
Little Rock
Nominal: $93,565
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $104,701

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cabot if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($109,930)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Little Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($93,565/year)
  • Larger job market (490 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $104,701)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Cabot grew 53.3% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 117.1% growth in Little Rock over the same period.

Cabot, AR

+53.3%

$54,381 (2020) → $83,368 (2025)

Little Rock, AR

+117.1%

$41,060 (2020) → $89,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Cabot or Little Rock?

Little Rock has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $93,565/year, compared to Cabot at $87,486/year — a difference of $6,079 (6.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cabot and Little Rock?

Cabot dental hygienists earn $42.06/hr while Little Rock hygienists earn $44.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cabot to Little Rock as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cabot and Little Rock. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cabot = $100,674, Little Rock = $104,701), job availability (4 vs 490 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Cabot vs Little Rock?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $71,240 in Cabot and $87,310 in Little Rock. The Little Rock area offers higher starting salaries.
SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov