How much does a Dentist make in Arkansas?

BLS puts the average Dentist pay in Arkansas at $174,280 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in Arkansas, after federal taxes, FICA, and Arkansas state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $124,138 annually ($10,345/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Dentist in Arkansas?

On a $174,280 salary in Arkansas, your take-home pay is approximately $124,138/year or $10,345/month. Federal tax: $30,561. State tax: $6,248. FICA: $13,332.

Is $174,280 a good Dentist salary?

$174,280 is the BLS average Dentist pay in Arkansas, 9% below the US average of $191,350 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in Arkansas earn between $127,540 and $209,720.

How do Arkansas taxes affect Dentist salaries?

Arkansas levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $174,280 is $6,248. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 28.8%.

What are the career growth prospects for Dentists?

In Arkansas, the top 10% earn over $223,010 and the bottom 10% under $99,010 (BLS, May 2025). 4% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average). Related roles include: General Dentist, Orthodontist, Oral Surgeon, Periodontist, Endodontist.

How can a Dentist in Arkansas reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Healthcare

Dentist Salary in Arkansas (2026)

Average Dentist pay in Arkansas

$174,280/year

≈ $84/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $127,540–$209,720

US average: $191,350

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$124,138/year

$10,345/month · effective tax rate 28.77%

Federal $30,561
State $6,248
FICA $13,332
Take-home

Pay by role in Arkansas

Dental Specialist (endo / perio / pediatric / prostho)BLS · 75th–90th percentile$269,980–$302,330
General DentistBLS · 75th–90th percentile$209,720–$223,010
General DentistBLS · middle 50%$127,540–$209,720
General DentistBLS · 10th–25th percentile$99,010–$127,540

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$124,138
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$10,345
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$4,775
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$60/hr
Federal Tax	$30,561
State Tax	$6,248
FICA Taxes	$13,332
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	28.77%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Dentists earn the same — not even close

Arkansas's dentist market is distinctive in that AR has no in-state DDS-granting institution — AR dentists currently train at out-of-state programs (UAB School of Dentistry Birmingham + UTHSC College of Dentistry Memphis + Texas A&M College of Dentistry Dallas + UMMC School of Dentistry Jackson + Meharry School of Dentistry Nashville + LSU School of Dentistry NOLA) with substantial post-graduation AR-relocation pipeline. UAMS announced plans in 2023 for AR's first dental school + the proposed UAMS College of Dental Medicine but the program had not enrolled students as of 2026. The substantial AR DSO + corporate dentistry presence (Heartland Dental + Aspen Dental + Pacific Dental Services + MyDentist + Western Dental AR practices), private group + solo + boutique cosmetic + implant + ortho + pedo across Little Rock + Bentonville + Fayetteville + Fort Smith + Springdale + Conway.

Dental Specialist (endo / perio / pediatric / prostho)

$269,980–$302,330

Pedo at Arkansas Children Hospital + AR Children NW + AR private pedo practice

Source: BLS May 2025 · Dentists, All Other Specialists · Arkansas · 75th–90th percentile

General Dentist

$209,720–$223,010

Private practice general dentist · Little Rock + Bentonville + Fayetteville · book of business

Source: BLS May 2025 · Dentists, General · Arkansas · 75th–90th percentile

General Dentist

$127,540–$209,720

Mid-career dentist · transitioning to specialty + private practice ownership

Source: BLS May 2025 · Dentists, General · Arkansas · middle 50%

General Dentist

$99,010–$127,540

New grad DDS · UAB + UTHSC + TAMU + UMMC + Meharry + LSU out-of-state pipeline · entry band

Source: BLS May 2025 · Dentists, General · Arkansas · 10th–25th percentile

Worth knowing: Arkansas currently has no in-state DDS-granting institution — a distinctive structural feature most national dentist compensation surveys understate for AR. AR dentists train at out-of-state programs including UAB School of Dentistry Birmingham + UTHSC College of Dentistry Memphis + Texas A&M College of Dentistry Dallas + UMMC School of Dentistry Jackson + Meharry School of Dentistry Nashville + LSU School of Dentistry NOLA with substantial post-graduation AR-relocation pipeline + the substantial AR Dental Association coordination with neighboring state dental schools for AR-specific clinical placements + the substantial AR State Board of Dental Examiners licensure reciprocity work. UAMS announced plans in 2023 for AR's first dental school + the proposed UAMS College of Dental Medicine with the AR Legislature appropriating ~$148M of initial funding for a dental school facility + program development, but the program had not enrolled students as of 2026 + remained in pre-launch facility + curriculum development phase + the dental school launch timeline targets late 2020s. The substantial AR DSO + corporate dentistry presence (Heartland Dental Effingham IL-HQ'd + Aspen Dental Indianapolis-HQ'd + Pacific Dental Services Irvine CA-HQ'd AR practices) supports substantial AR new grad DDS placement + sign-on bonus + production bonus + partnership pathway opportunities. The substantial AR Walmart Health Centers dental services (~30+ Walmart Health locations across AR + multi-state with substantial Walmart-internal dentist employment + the substantial Walmart-pricing transparency model + Walmart-Affordable-Healthcare initiative) supports substantial Walmart-employed AR dental work. AR Delta + Ozarks substantial rural HPSA + AR Federally Qualified Health Center + Rural Health Clinic + AR Department of Health dental clinic + NHSC Loan Repayment Program eligible positions support substantial underserved AR community dental work. AR progressive 2-4.4% top phasing to 3.9% by 2026 + AR RTW since 1947 + AR property tax ~0.61% + no state estate tax + lower NW Arkansas + Little Rock cost of living anchor the AR dentist proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Dentists in Arkansas and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Arkansas 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers