Dental Hygienist Salary in Sherwood, AR: $88,347 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Sherwood, AR earns a median $88,347/year (≈ $42.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Sherwood's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $101,665 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a dental hygienist in Sherwood, Arkansas, is $88,347, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $102,946. The local salary range extends from $66,449 at the 10th percentile to $112,684 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living considerations, paint a realistic picture of what dental hygienists can expect when operating in the Sherwood area. Current market conditions reflect a relatively competitive landscape for employment, with seven dental hygienists actively working locally, yet potential candidates must keep in mind that the cost of living index in Sherwood is below the national average at 86.9, impacting real purchasing power.
About the Sherwood Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($82,822) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,449 | $31.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,895 | $36.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,347 | $42.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,169 | $47.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,684 | $54.17 |
Median Salary Position
14.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sherwood
In Sherwood, AR, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,235 (2026 est.). At $88,347, the local median is 14.18% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sherwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sherwood Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Sherwood median: $88,347/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sherwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $90,892 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -14.18% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sherwood has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sherwood, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $88,347 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,665 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$54,916
2025 BLS Actual
$84,188
2026 Current Est.
$88,347
2020–2027 Growth
+68.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Sherwood (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $54,916 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,876 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,673 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,284 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,188 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,347 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,711 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sherwood metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 53.3% from $54,916 (2020) to $84,188 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,711 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,795 (68.82%) from 2020.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $66,449 – $76,895 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,895 – $88,347 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,347 – $98,169 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,169 – $112,684 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Sherwood
Despite the lower salary figures, dental hygienists in Sherwood can find various employment opportunities that offer different compensation structures. For instance, practices with higher patient volumes, such as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), often provide attractive benefits and production-based bonuses, which can contribute to overall pay. Additionally, the divergence in salaries can be influenced by numerous factors, including the type of practice, the number of days worked per week, and varying benefits. While solo practices may offer flexible environments, they often lack comprehensive health insurance, possibly relegating pay lower than larger operations that can afford to offer sign-on bonuses to attract talent. Therefore, focusing on opportunities within DSOs or larger multi-doctor practices could be key strategies for maximizing dental hygienist pay in Sherwood, AR.
More salary data for Sherwood, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Sherwood, AR in 2026?
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Sherwood?
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Related Pages
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $84,188 for dental hygienistsin the Sherwood metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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