Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Philadelphia, PA: $50.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Philadelphia, PA runs $50.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,801 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Philadelphia's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.6, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,479 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Philadelphia, dental hygienists can expect a median hourly pay of $50.86, which is slightly above the national median of $49.49. For professionals working part-time—such as those in typical settings like general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and public health clinics—this rate translates well into a secure income, even if only working three days a week. Entry-level dental hygienists in the city can earn as low as $42.18 per hour, while experienced professionals at the top of their field may command rates as high as $52.43. Such figures highlight the earning potential across the spectrum of dental hygiene practice within Philadelphia, drawing from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data from 2025, projected to 2026.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.18 | $337.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.72 | $389.79 |
| Median (P50) | $50.86 | $406.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.21 | $417.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.43 | $419.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Philadelphia
Based on $50.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.86/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Philadelphia, PA can expect to earn approximately $105,798 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,037. With a cost-of-living index of 102.55 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Philadelphia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Philadelphia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,034.58 | $8,816 | $105,798 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,220.75 | $5,290 | $63,479 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $813.83 | $3,527 | $42,319 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Philadelphia) | $50.86 |
| 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 Philadelphia, PA earn a median of $105,801 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.77% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 25.50% above the Pennsylvania state average of $84,303.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.86/hr = $63,479/year (purchasing power: $61,898).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,798/year (purchasing power: $103,163).
CoL index: 102.554 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$38.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.47/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.86/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+37.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Philadelphia (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $38.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.47/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Philadelphia grew 24.5% from $38.93/hr (2020) to $48.47/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.38/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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia
Part-time dental hygienists working 24 hours a week can take home a substantial income, totaling around $63,000 annually, which still allows for flexibility in work-life balance compared to full-time positions. Those opting for per diem roles can find that varying pay through temporary agencies often falls between $40 and $60 per hour, with high-cost living areas pushing rates even higher. In Philadelphia, dental hygienists’ hourly pay differs across employer types, reflecting the contrast between private practices, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), and public health facilities. Some professionals may accept lower hourly compensation for access to benefits like health insurance offered by larger practices, while others might prefer the higher pay of $50.86 without benefits. Successfully negotiating hourly wages in the Philadelphia job market often involves understanding local pay scales and the specific strengths one brings to their prospective employer.
More salary data for Philadelphia, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Philadelphia in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Philadelphia?
Are dental hygienists in Philadelphia paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Philadelphia?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Philadelphia?
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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 Philadelphia. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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