Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Pearl, MS: $42.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Pearl, MS runs $42.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,389 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Pearl's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.7, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,438 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pearl, Mississippi, dental hygienists earn a median hourly rate of $42.02, which falls below the national median of $49.49. This difference could impact individuals considering part-time or per-diem positions in various settings, such as general dentistry operatories and public health clinics. A dental hygienist working a typical 24-hour workweek could expect to earn about $1,008 weekly, shaping their take-home pay accordingly. The hourly rate in Pearl ranges from $32.77 for entry-level positions to $51.11 for top earners, indicating that professionals can find reasonable compensation even in less busy or specialized environments. These figures are estimates derived from annual salary data projected for 2026.
About the Pearl Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($71,723) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.77 | $262.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.94 | $287.54 |
| Median (P50) | $42.02 | $336.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.17 | $361.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.11 | $408.85 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pearl
Based on $42.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.02/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pearl, MS can expect to earn approximately $87,397 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,422. With a cost-of-living index of 85.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pearl.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pearl
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,680.72 | $7,283 | $87,397 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,008.43 | $4,370 | $52,438 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $672.29 | $2,913 | $34,959 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Pearl) | $42.02 |
| Dental Assistant (National Avg) | $21.29 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant (National Avg) | $31.26 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Dental Hygienists in Pearl, MS earn a median of $87,389 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.11% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.90% below the Mississippi state average of $88,182.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.02/hr = $52,438/year (purchasing power: $61,188).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,397/year (purchasing power: $101,981).
CoL index: 85.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$27.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.02/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+62.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Pearl (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $27.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Pearl grew 47.5% from $27.14/hr (2020) to $40.04/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.09/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pearl metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dental Hygienist in Pearl
When evaluating the part-time earning potential for a dental hygienist working three days a week in Pearl, the salary can still provide stability, although it may not match a full-time income. For those seeking per diem roles, the ongoing demand often pays between $40 and $60 hourly with variations based on location and urgency of need, although such roles may not be as common as temporary nursing positions. Dental hygienists in Pearl may find differing pay based on their employer type—solo practices might offer a different rate than larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) or specialty offices. Additionally, some hygienists negotiate lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits. When negotiating pay, it's essential to consider the total compensation package, which may include insurance and retirement benefits, especially in a market where hourly pay might not fully reflect the cost of living. It's advisable to be well informed about local pay standards and other compensations that might influence the overall employment experience.
More salary data for Pearl, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dental hygienists in Pearl. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pearl is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov