Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Sherwood, AR: $42.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Sherwood, AR runs $42.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,347 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Sherwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,015 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Sherwood, Arkansas, earn a median hourly rate of $42.48, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.49. This difference might influence the choices of dental hygienists in the area, especially those considering part-time or per diem roles. For instance, a hygienist working three days a week at this rate can expect to take home about $27,300 annually. The hourly compensation for dental hygienists in Sherwood ranges from $31.94 at the lower end (P10) to $54.17 for top earners (P90), reflecting varying levels of experience and the type of dental office or setting in which they work, such as general dentistry practices, pediatric clinics, or public health environments.
About the Sherwood Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($82,822) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.94 | $255.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.97 | $295.76 |
| Median (P50) | $42.48 | $339.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.20 | $377.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.17 | $433.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sherwood
Based on $42.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.48/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sherwood, AR can expect to earn approximately $88,358 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,976. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sherwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sherwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,699.19 | $7,363 | $88,358 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,019.51 | $4,418 | $53,015 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $679.68 | $2,945 | $35,343 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Sherwood) | $42.48 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Dental Hygienists in Sherwood, AR earn a median of $88,347 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.18% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.80% below the Arkansas state average of $90,892.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.48/hr = $53,015/year (purchasing power: $61,007).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,358/year (purchasing power: $101,678).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$26.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.48/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.48/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+68.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Sherwood (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $26.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.48/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Sherwood grew 53.3% from $26.40/hr (2020) to $40.48/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.58/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sherwood 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.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Sherwood
Part-time dental hygienists in Sherwood have the potential to earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts, making their financial landscape dependent on the hours they work. A hygienist in a per diem role might earn around $40-60 per hour when working through an agency, but not all areas in AR will provide this pay scale. Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) and group practices often offer structured benefits such as health insurance, which can be a major deciding factor for some hygienists, even if it means accepting a lower hourly rate. Meanwhile, those in solo practices or smaller offices might face higher variability in pay. Negotiating favorable terms can be vital in this profession; it's important for dental hygienists in Sherwood to engage in conversations about benefits versus hourly wage to ensure they secure compensation that aligns with their career goals.
More salary data for Sherwood, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Sherwood in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Sherwood?
Are dental hygienists in Sherwood paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Sherwood?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Sherwood?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Sherwood. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Sherwood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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