Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Richmond, IN: $42.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Richmond, IN runs $42.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,029 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.36 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,818 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median hourly pay of $42.32 for dental hygienists in Richmond, Indiana, this rate falls significantly below the national median of $49.49 per hour. For those working part-time, such as a dental hygienist who takes shifts three days a week, the earning potential can be variable, especially when you consider the diverse environments they work in, from general dentistry offices to public health mobile clinics. The hourly pay range reflects the experience level within the profession, with entry-level positions starting at around $31.77 per hour, and more experienced hygienists earning as much as $51.50 per hour. This structure allows for flexibility, appealing to per-diem workers who might choose to work for multiple employers to maximize their hourly compensation in various settings throughout Richmond.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($89,222) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.77 | $254.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.86 | $302.90 |
| Median (P50) | $42.32 | $338.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.52 | $364.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.50 | $412.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $42.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.32/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, IN can expect to earn approximately $88,030 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,787. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,692.89 | $7,336 | $88,030 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,015.74 | $4,402 | $52,818 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $677.16 | $2,934 | $35,212 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Richmond) | $42.32 |
| 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 Richmond, IN earn a median of $88,029 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.49% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.70% below the Indiana state average of $90,472.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.32/hr = $52,818/year (purchasing power: $57,851).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,030/year (purchasing power: $96,419).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$35.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.32/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+25.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Richmond (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $35.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Richmond grew 13.7% from $35.46/hr (2020) to $40.33/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.41/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Examining the realities of part-time and per-diem work sheds light on the financial dynamics faced by dental hygienists. A hygienist opting for a 3-day workweek, totaling approximately 24 hours, would earn around $52,294 annually, significantly less than a full-time salary but still a reasonable income. Per diem positions, often offered by staffing agencies, can pay between $40-$60 an hour, granting hygienists in Richmond the freedom to adjust their schedules while potentially increasing their take-home pay. Diverse employer settings, including solo practices, multi-doctor groups, and dental service organizations, can influence hourly rates, with DSOs often providing benefits that may result in slightly lower pay in exchange for job security. Hygienists must weigh these benefits against higher hourly rates that come with fewer perks. For effective salary negotiation in Richmond, hygiene professionals should research local pay scales, express their value, and be open to discussing flexible work arrangements that could enhance their earnings.
More salary data for Richmond, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Richmond. 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 Richmond 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