Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dentist Salary in Arkansas
The median dentist earns $178,930 a year in Arkansas ($86.02 an hour), with the middle half earning between $127,540 and $209,720.[1]
25th percentile
$127,540
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$178,930
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$209,720
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $178,930 per year or $86.02/hr at the median. Arkansas runs about 5% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Arkansas
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dentists in Arkansas earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Arkansas hourly | Arkansas annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $47.60 | $99,010 | $41.47 | $86,250 |
| 25th percentile | $61.32 | $127,540 | $60.44 | $125,710 |
| Median | $86.02 | $178,930 | $82.19 | $170,950 |
| 75th percentile | $100.83 | $209,720 | $107.71 | $224,040 |
| 90th percentile | $107.22 | $223,010 | $153.67 | $319,630 |
| Mean (average) | $83.79 | $174,280 | $91.99 | $191,350 |
How many dentists work in Arkansas
1,210
0.93
1.16
How Arkansas compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $178,930 in Arkansas vs. $170,950 nationally, $7,980 (5%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $99,010 vs. $86,250, 15% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $223,010 vs. $319,630, 30% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 16.4% in Arkansas vs. 4.2% nationally.
Dentist pay by metro area in Arkansas
All 6 Arkansas metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $238,040 | $135,830–$273,390 | 280 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | $179,940 | $178,930–$223,010 | 410 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | $172,250 | $133,840–$207,340 | 240 |
| Jonesboro | $169,850 | $131,460–$209,720 | 60 |
| Fort Smith | $165,060 | $122,020–$200,350 | 100 |
| Hot Springs | $161,820 | $121,750–$199,810 | 60 |
Job outlook for dentists in Arkansas
Arkansas's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 16.4% over 2024–2034, from 1,130 to 1,310 jobs, with about 50 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dentist (all dentists, including specialists) employment to grow 6% over 2025–35, faster than the average for all occupations, with about 4,800 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dentist pay in Arkansas
Pay for a dentist depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dentist roles in Arkansas, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dentist salary in Arkansas: FAQ
How much do dentists make in Arkansas?
The median annual wage for dentists in Arkansas was $178,930 ($86.02 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $127,540 and $209,720. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $99,010 and the top 10% earned over $223,010. These figures cover employed workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category and exclude practice owners.
Do dentists in Arkansas earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Arkansas median of $178,930 is higher than the U.S. median of $170,950. That is $7,980 (5%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Arkansas metro area pays dentists the most?
Among the 6 Arkansas metro areas with published BLS data, Memphis has the highest median at $238,040 a year. Hot Springs has the lowest, at $161,820.
How many dentists work in Arkansas?
BLS estimates 1,210 workers in the BLS "Dentists, General" category were employed in Arkansas in May 2025. That is 0.93 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.16, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dentists growing in Arkansas?
Arkansas's official long-term projections expect employment of dentists to grow 16.4% over 2024–2034, from 1,130 to 1,310 jobs. That works out to about 50 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 4.2%.
Hiring in Arkansas?
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Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dentists, General (29-1021), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Arkansas long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dentists, General
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dentists (all dentists, including specialists)