Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Raleigh, NC: $49.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Raleigh, NC runs $49.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,681 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Raleigh's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.2, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,208 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Raleigh, North Carolina, dental hygienists command a median hourly rate of $49.85, slightly above the national median of $49.49. This competitive pay provides substantial opportunities for those working part-time, who might operate in general dentistry or specialty settings such as periodontal practices and public health clinics. For instance, a dental hygienist working three days a week could earn a solid income while maintaining a flexible schedule. The hourly wage also varies among entry-level professionals, starting at $37.81, while seasoned hygienists can reach up to $53.34, reflecting the diverse range of experience and expertise within the field. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the financial potential for dental hygienists in the Raleigh area.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.81 | $302.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.28 | $394.24 |
| Median (P50) | $49.85 | $398.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.99 | $415.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.34 | $426.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Raleigh
Based on $49.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.85/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Raleigh, NC can expect to earn approximately $103,681 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,816. With a cost-of-living index of 98.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Raleigh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Raleigh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,993.86 | $8,640 | $103,681 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,196.32 | $5,184 | $62,208 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $797.54 | $3,456 | $41,472 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Raleigh) | $49.85 |
| 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 Raleigh, NC earn a median of $103,681 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.71% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 3.00% above the North Carolina state average of $100,661.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.85/hr = $62,208/year (purchasing power: $63,376).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,681/year (purchasing power: $105,627).
CoL index: 98.157 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$35.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.85/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+45.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Raleigh (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $35.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Raleigh grew 32.2% from $35.93/hr (2020) to $47.50/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.31/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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh
When assessing the financial landscape for dental hygienists, it’s vital to consider part-time and per diem arrangements. A dental hygienist working part-time might earn significantly given their hourly rates, with some possible take-home annual figures that rival full-time incomes, depending on weekly hours worked. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Raleigh can range from $40 to $60, especially when sourced through staffing agencies. Although this offers flexibility, most dental hygienists remain in structured positions within private practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), where hourly wages can reflect the benefits offered, such as health insurance and retirement plans. While solo dental practices might have tighter budgets, larger DSOs like Heartland and Aspen often provide better compensation packages, enticing many professionals to make trade-offs between higher hourly rates and the security of benefits. Negotiating these rates effectively requires a good understanding of local industry standards and the specific capabilities or certifications a hygienist brings to their potential employer.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Raleigh in 2026?
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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 Raleigh. 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