Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Dayton, OH: $42.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Dayton, OH runs $42.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,674 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Dayton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,198 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dayton, Ohio, dental hygienists are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $42.63 in 2026. This figure is noticeably lower than the national median of $49.49, suggesting a slightly less competitive earning environment than in other parts of the country. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this hourly wage translates into stable income, particularly in typical settings such as general dental offices, specialty clinics, or public health mobile units. Entry-level hygienists can expect to earn around $40.01 per hour, while experienced practitioners may earn upwards of $49.16, highlighting a range of pay that accommodates both newly licensed professionals and seasoned veterans alike. These insights are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, ensuring reliability in understanding the dental hygienist hourly pay landscape in Dayton.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.01 | $320.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.34 | $330.69 |
| Median (P50) | $42.63 | $341.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.16 | $393.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.16 | $393.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dayton
Based on $42.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.63/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dayton, OH can expect to earn approximately $88,663 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,152. With a cost-of-living index of 92.69 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dayton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dayton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,705.07 | $7,389 | $88,663 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,023.04 | $4,433 | $53,198 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $682.03 | $2,955 | $35,465 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Dayton) | $42.63 |
| 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 Dayton, OH earn a median of $88,674 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.86% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.10% below the Ohio state average of $88,763.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.63/hr = $53,198/year (purchasing power: $57,391).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,663/year (purchasing power: $95,652).
CoL index: 92.694 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$33.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.63/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+31.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Dayton (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $33.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.73/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Dayton grew 19.7% from $33.93/hr (2020) to $40.62/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.73/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 Dayton 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 Dayton
Shifting focus to the dynamics that affect how dental hygienists in Dayton earn, part-time workers may find themselves making a full-time equivalent of approximately $54,000 annually, depending on their hours and circumstances. In contrast, per diem or agency dental hygienists have varied earning potentials, often securing rates between $40 to $60 per hour through local staffing agencies. However, in higher-cost locations such as San Francisco, rates can climb to $60-$85, although such travel contracts remain limited. The compensation landscape also varies based on employer type; those working at larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) may have different pay scales compared to independent practices, often trading higher hourly wages for benefits like health insurance. When negotiating pay, dental hygienists in Ohio can enhance their leverage by researching local rates and articulating their value based on different practice settings, which can lead to more favorable hourly pay arrangements tailored to their circumstances.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Dayton in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Dayton?
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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 Dayton. 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