Dental Hygienist Salary in Texarkana, AR: $86,164 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Texarkana, AR earns a median $86,164/year (≈ $41.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Texarkana's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $99,153 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Texarkana, AR, the projected dental hygienist salary in 2026 is $86,164, which reflects a lucrative opportunity despite being 16.30% lower than the national median of $102,946. With only seven dental hygienists currently employed in the area, the job market suggests a relatively small pool of professionals, indicating that there may be room for competitive growth. Salaries for dental hygienists range from $70,492 at the 10th percentile to as high as $108,228 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and account for regional cost adjustments that impact local compensation. This context provides insight into potential earning strategies within the unique dynamics of Texarkana's dental industry.
About the Texarkana Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($82,822) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,492 | $33.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,860 | $36.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,164 | $41.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,725 | $45.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,228 | $52.03 |
Median Salary Position
16.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Texarkana
In Texarkana, AR, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,736 (2026 est.). At $86,164, the local median is 16.3% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Texarkana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Texarkana Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Texarkana median: $86,164/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Texarkana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $90,890 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -16.30% less |
Dental Hygienists in Texarkana, AR earn a median of $86,164 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.30% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.20% below the Arkansas state average of $90,890.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Texarkana 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.
Texarkana, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $86,164 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,153 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$54,368
2025 BLS Actual
$82,108
2026 Current Est.
$86,164
2020–2027 Growth
+66.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Texarkana (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $54,368 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,109 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,918 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,776 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,382 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,108 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,164 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,421 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Texarkana metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 51.0% from $54,368 (2020) to $82,108 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,421 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,053 (66.31%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texarkana 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) | $70,492 – $75,860 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,860 – $86,164 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,164 – $94,725 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,725 – $108,228 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Texarkana
As you consider a career in dental hygiene in Texarkana, it's essential to factor in the local cost of living index, which stands at 86.9. This lower rate indicates that, while salaries may be less than the national average, the purchasing power for residents is comparatively stronger. Among local employers, multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) typically offer the most attractive compensation packages, often supplementing base salaries with production-based bonuses and sign-on incentives. The variations between pay levels are influenced by factors such as work schedule preferences—many hygienists choose between 4-day or 5-day workweeks—and the benefits provided by different practice types. To maximize earnings, pursuing positions within larger dental groups or DSOs may prove advantageous, especially for newcomers who can benefit from structured onboarding and comprehensive benefits packages that many private practices may lack.
More salary data for Texarkana, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Texarkana, AR in 2026?
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Texarkana?
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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 $82,108 for dental hygienistsin the Texarkana 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 Texarkana 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