Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Albany, NY: $49.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Albany, NY runs $49.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,873 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Albany's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.67 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,724 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albany, NY, the dental hygienist hourly pay stands at a median of $49.46, closely aligning with the national median of $49.49. This figure is significant for both part-time workers, typically operating three days a week in various settings—from general dentistry to public health clinics—and those interested in per diem roles, where daily earnings can vary. The hourly compensation for dental hygienists in Albany ranges from $40.32 for entry-level positions to as much as $52.47 for top earners, reflecting the diverse environments they may work in, such as periodontal specialty suites and dental service organizations (DSOs). These numbers are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the valuable contributions of dental hygienists within their communities.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.32 | $322.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.49 | $331.95 |
| Median (P50) | $49.46 | $395.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.57 | $412.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.47 | $419.76 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albany
Based on $49.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.46/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albany, NY can expect to earn approximately $102,873 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,350. With a cost-of-living index of 99.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albany.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albany
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,978.33 | $8,573 | $102,873 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,187.00 | $5,144 | $61,724 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $791.33 | $3,429 | $41,149 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Albany) | $49.46 |
| 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 Albany, NY earn a median of $102,873 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.07% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.70% above the New York state average of $98,255.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.46/hr = $61,724/year (purchasing power: $61,993).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,873/year (purchasing power: $103,322).
CoL index: 99.566 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$33.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.46/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+55.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Albany (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $33.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Albany grew 41.3% from $33.36/hr (2020) to $47.13/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.90/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 Albany 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 Albany
When considering working part-time, a dental hygienist in Albany putting in 24 hours a week could earn around $61,648 annually, a substantial income that offers flexibility. For those opting for per diem work, local temp agencies typically pay between $40-60 per hour, but in high-cost areas, rates can escalate to $60-85 per hour. Pay structures vary significantly based on the type of employer; solo practices may offer lower pay, while DSOs and specialty offices often provide higher rates but may come with fewer benefits. Dental hygienists often weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly wages and additional benefits, like health insurance. Negotiation can be key; professionals should research local salary trends and consider benefits that align with their career goals while seeking opportunities with competitive pay structures in Albany.
More salary data for Albany, NY:
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 Albany. 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