Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Athens, OH: $39.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Athens, OH runs $39.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,345 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Athens's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,413 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Athens, Ohio, the projected median hourly pay for dental hygienists is $39.59, significantly lower than the national median of $49.49. This difference highlights the regional variances in compensation within the profession. For those working part-time, such as on a three-day-a-week schedule, this hourly rate translates to potential earnings that can support a stable lifestyle, albeit on a tighter budget compared to full-time colleagues. Per diem opportunities in various work settings, including general dentistry operatories and public health clinics, might offer more flexibility but can come with varying hourly rates, often enough to attract specialists to sporadic shifts. In Athens, entry-level hygienists may start around $31.88, while top earners in the field can reach up to $47.85.
About the Athens Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($86,075) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.88 | $255.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.28 | $274.27 |
| Median (P50) | $39.59 | $316.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.64 | $341.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.85 | $382.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Athens
Based on $39.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.59/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Athens, OH can expect to earn approximately $82,355 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,513. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Athens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Athens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,583.75 | $6,863 | $82,355 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $950.25 | $4,118 | $49,413 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $633.50 | $2,745 | $32,942 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Athens) | $39.59 |
| 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 Athens, OH earn a median of $82,345 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.01% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 7.20% below the Ohio state average of $88,734.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.59/hr = $49,413/year (purchasing power: $54,480).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,355/year (purchasing power: $90,800).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$30.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.59/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+34.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Athens (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $30.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Athens grew 21.9% from $30.96/hr (2020) to $37.73/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.55/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 Athens 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 Athens
Part-time dental hygienists in Athens could see their annual earnings reflect a less stable income yet still meet basic living requirements. A hygienist working three days a week, totaling about 24 hours, might income approximately $49,966 yearly, about $32,000 less than a full-time counterpart. Per diem and agency hygienists might earn between $40 and $60 per hour elsewhere, with rates noticeably higher in high-cost locations like San Francisco or New York. In Athens, hourly wages vary across employer types, such as solo practices or larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Aspen. Hygienists often face a trade-off between higher hourly wages without benefits vs. more secure, albeit lower-paying, positions that offer health insurance and paid time off. Effective negotiation skills are essential for maximizing pay in Athens' job market, especially for those considering roles in the evolving workplace brought about by industry consolidations and changing employment structures.
More salary data for Athens, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 Athens. 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 Athens 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