How to Become A Dental Assistant in Arkansas
Arkansas employs approximately 2,950 dental assistants according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $42,830 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 52,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a dental assistant in Arkansas, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Dental Assistant in Arkansas
How do I become a dental assistant in Arkansas? Arkansas requires credentials such as Registered Dental Assistant, Dental Hygienist. The licensing authority is the Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Arkansas? Yes. Arkansas has licensing or registration requirements for dental assistants. The Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do dental assistants earn in Arkansas? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Arkansas is $42,830 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,060 and experienced professionals can earn $48,330 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners
- Median wage (Arkansas): $42,830 per year 1
Dental Assistant License Requirements in Arkansas
The Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners oversees dental assistant licensing in Arkansas 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Registered Dental Assistant | Registered Dental Assistants aid dentists in diagnostic, operative, surgical, periodontal, preventive, orthodontic and fixed prosthodontia procedures during examination and treatment of patients. |
| Dental Hygienist | Dental Hygienists are part of the dental health team. They are oral clinicians who aid the public in developing and maintaining good oral health. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Dental Assistant Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
Dental Assistants Wages by Metro Area in Arkansas
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), dental assistants wages in Arkansas vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 1,200 | $48,200 | $49,340 | $36,940 | $61,790 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 920 | $45,140 | $42,900 | $36,020 | $47,620 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 680 | $47,050 | $44,010 | $35,330 | $48,890 |
| Fort Smith | 220 | $37,160 | $40,150 | $31,420 | $45,840 |
| Jonesboro | 170 | $36,720 | $40,080 | $34,900 | $47,260 |
| Texarkana | 120 | $38,180 | $39,990 | $31,110 | $46,340 |
| Hot Springs | 100 | $37,440 | $39,680 | $30,850 | $46,540 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
Top Metros for Dental assistants in Arkansas
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest dental assistant employment within Arkansas according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway | 920 | $45,140 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers | 680 | $47,050 |
| Fort Smith | 220 | $37,160 |
| Jonesboro | 170 | $36,720 |
| Hot Springs | 100 | $37,440 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for dental assistants in Arkansas? Arkansas currently employs approximately 2,950 dental assistants 1. Nationally, dental assistant employment is projected to grow 6.4% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a dental assistant in Arkansas with an out-of-state license? Contact the Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Arkansas? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Arkansas.
How much do dental assistants earn in Arkansas compared to the national average? The median annual wage for dental assistants in Arkansas is $42,830, which is $4,470 below the national median of $47,300 according to BLS data 1.
Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Arkansas Department of Health - Arkansas State Board of Dental Examiners - Licensing Information: https://healthy.arkansas.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |