Dental Hygienist Pay

Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Newport News, VA: $51.02 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Newport News, VA runs $51.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $106,127 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Newport News's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,675 per year.

$106,127
Median Annual Salary
$51.02/hr
Hourly Rate
$83,167
Entry Level (P10)
$141,507
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Hygienist Hourly Rate in Newport News, VA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Newport News, VA dental hygienist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

Dental hygienists in Newport News, Virginia, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $51.02 in 2026, which is higher than the national average hourly rate of $49.49. This competitive pay reflects the dynamic healthcare landscape in the region, particularly as dental hygienists often find work in diverse settings such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and public health clinics. For those opting for part-time arrangements, such as a typical three-day workweek, the hourly rate significantly influences their income potential, allowing for earnings ranging from $39.98 at the entry-level to $68.03 for top earners. This flexibility also provides per-diem workers the opportunity to adapt their schedules while benefiting from the average hourly wages derived from annual salary estimates.

About the Newport News Market

Salary estimated from Virginia average ($94,466) adjusted for local cost of living.

Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$39.98$319.86
Lower Range (P25)$44.18$353.44
Median (P50)$51.02$408.17
Upper Range (P75)$57.90$463.16
Top Earners (P90)$68.03$544.26

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Newport News

Based on $51.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a dental hygienist in Newport News earning $51.02/hr would make approximately $61,226 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $106,125 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$61,226Reduced (32 hr/wk)$81,635Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$106,125

At $51.02/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Newport News, VA can expect to earn approximately $106,125 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $61,226. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Newport News.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$408.17
per 8hr shift
$2,040.87
per week
$8,844
per month
$106,125
per year

Schedule Comparison in Newport News

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$2,040.87$8,844$106,125
Part-Time (24 hrs)$1,224.52$5,306$63,675
Per Diem (16 hrs)$816.35$3,538$42,450

Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Dental Hygienist (Newport News)$51.02
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
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental hygienist median salary in Newport News ($106,127) with Virginia average ($105,285) and the US national median ($102,946).Newport News$106,127Virginia Avg$105,285+0.80%US National$102,946+3.09%

Dental Hygienists in Newport News, VA earn a median of $106,127 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.09% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 0.80% above the Virginia state average of $105,285.

Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $51.02/hr = $63,675/year (purchasing power: $61,701).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $106,125/year (purchasing power: $102,835).

CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).

2020 BLS Actual

$37.52/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$48.62/hr

2026 Current Est.

$51.02/hr

2020–2027 Growth

+42.7%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Newport News (20202027)

2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for dental hygienists in Newport News. Baseline $37.52/hr in 2025, projected to $53.54/hr by 2027.$34$40$46$51$57202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$37.52$40.72$41.93$42.20$41.60$48.62$51.02$53.54
YearHourly RateStatus
2020$37.52/hrActual
2021$40.72/hrActual
2022$41.93/hrActual
2023$42.20/hrActual
2024$41.60/hrActual
2025$48.62/hrActual
2026(current)$51.02/hrEstimated
2027$53.54/hrProjected

Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Newport News grew 29.6% from $37.52/hr (2020) to $48.62/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.54/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20202025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newport News metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Newport News

Considering the part-time opportunities available, a dental hygienist working 24 hours a week could take home a substantial income while balancing personal commitments. Furthermore, per diem dental hygienist pay in Newport News typically fluctuates based on employer types, including solo practices, large Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), and specialty offices. While temp agencies in urban areas may offer hourly rates ranging from $40 to $60, those rates could vary widely based on location and demand. Some dental hygienists may decide to prioritize positions that offer health benefits even if those roles come with lower hourly wages compared to higher-paying, benefit-free positions. For those negotiating their hourly rate, understanding the specific dynamics of Newport News' dental care scene can provide insights into achieving favorable compensation that aligns with both financial goals and work-life balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Newport News in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Newport News is $51.02/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.94% annual growth). Rates range from $39.98 at entry level (10th percentile) to $68.03 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 3.1% above the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Newport News?

A part-time dental hygienist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Newport News earns approximately $5,306/month, or $63,675/year at the median hourly rate of $51.02. Many dental hygienists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are dental hygienists in Newport News paid hourly or salary?

The majority of dental hygienists in Newport News are paid hourly at a median rate of $51.02/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $106,125/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Newport News?

A full-time dental hygienist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Newport News earns approximately $106,125/year at the median hourly rate of $51.02. This is 3.1% above the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $141,508/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Newport News?

Part-time and per diem dental hygienists in Newport News sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $68.03/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

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SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

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 Newport News. 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 Newport News is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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