Dental Hygienist Salary

As we continue looking at the average salaries in local areas, we turn to Arkansas.  In Arkansas, we seeing an average salary of around $59,000.  This is a strong number for a state with such a low cost of living.  Like similar areas, salaries have fallen since the recession of 2008.  Many people are entering this attractive field, particularly as they get laid off from other jobs.  In Arkansas in particularly we are seeing a large number of second career people become an RDH.  The RDH salary in Arkansas should settle out, however, close to where it is now.  Given this field has a relatively low educational barrier to entry (relative to salary earned) there is always a possibility of the job opportunities becoming increasingly competitive.

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Many people are not familiar with the term RDH.  RDH stands for Registered Dental Hygienist.  Like all dental hygienists, RDH salaries tend to fluctuate less than standard salaries.  Most RDHs work as hourly employees with benefits.  Most medical profession fields are rather insulated from economic downturns and wage decreases.  That said, since many people do not have dental coverage, demand for dental services is slightly more elastic than other medical services, but much more inelastic than a general basket of market goods.  This helps insulate the salary of RDH professionals from fluctuations.  As a RDH it makes sense to save more during economic recessions, just like everyone else, in case of trouble at your office or generally.

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