Dental Assistants Salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Fort Smith, AR-OK

Median annual salary $35,360 -25.2% vs national
Median hourly $17.00
10th percentile $31,180
90th percentile $44,710
Employed locally 260
National median $47,300

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Dental Assistants
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Fort Smith, AR-OK
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,180
    25th
    $34,900
    50th (median)
    $35,360
    75th
    $43,470
    90th
    $44,710

    Fort Smith economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $56,717 2023 • Census ACS
    Dental Assistants salary vs area income 62% Median Dental Assistants salary is 38% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Dental Assistants

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $65,360
    Minnesota $64,630
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $64,600
    Rochester, MN $62,990
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $62,700
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $62,620

    Nearby metros — Dental Assistants salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $64,600
    Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $60,910
    Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $60,770
    Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $60,330
    North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area $60,080
    Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area $59,670

    Related occupations in Fort Smith, AR-OK

    OccupationMedian salary
    Home Health and Personal Care Aides $27,570
    Nursing Assistants $31,250
    Medical Assistants $35,700
    Physical Therapist Assistants $60,620
    Phlebotomists $34,130
    Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $30,930

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Dental Assistants make per hour in Fort Smith?

    The median hourly wage for Dental Assistants in Fort Smith, AR-OK is $17.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.04 or more per hour.

    Is Fort Smith above or below average for Dental Assistants salaries?

    The median Dental Assistants salary in Fort Smith, AR-OK is 25.2% below the national median of $47,300. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Dental Assistants in Fort Smith?

    Entry-level Dental Assistants (10th percentile) earn around $31,180 per year in Fort Smith, AR-OK. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $34,900.