Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Anniston, AL: $28.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Anniston, AL runs $28.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,763 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Anniston's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.9, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,858 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the dental hygienist hourly pay in Anniston, Alabama is projected to be $28.73. This figure is substantially lower than the national hourly median of $49.49, highlighting a significant regional wage disparity. For part-time workers operating in various settings such as general dentistry operatories or mobile clinics, this hourly rate translates to variable earnings. For instance, a dental hygienist working just three days a week might earn around $1,375 per week, making it a feasible option for those balancing other commitments. The hourly pay range in Anniston varies from $23.60 at the entry-level (P10) to $30.41 for more experienced practitioners (P90), reflecting the spectrum of responsibilities and settings these professionals engage in across the city. This data is sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.60 | $188.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.04 | $200.31 |
| Median (P50) | $28.73 | $229.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.14 | $241.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.41 | $243.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Anniston
Based on $28.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.73/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Anniston, AL can expect to earn approximately $59,764 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,479. With a cost-of-living index of 85.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Anniston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Anniston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,149.30 | $4,980 | $59,764 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $689.58 | $2,988 | $35,858 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $459.72 | $1,992 | $23,905 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Anniston) | $28.73 |
| 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 Anniston, AL earn a median of $59,763 per year (2026 est.), which is 41.95% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.90% below the Alabama state average of $63,510.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.73/hr = $35,858/year (purchasing power: $41,720).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,764/year (purchasing power: $69,534).
CoL index: 85.949 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$23.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.73/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+27.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Anniston (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $23.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.66/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Anniston grew 16.2% from $23.57/hr (2020) to $27.38/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.15/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 Anniston 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 Anniston
Part-time dental hygienists in Anniston who work three days a week for 24 hours a week may find their earnings significantly impacted compared to full-time colleagues. While a full-time position might yield a steady income, the reality for part-timers is that they can expect an annual income of approximately $42,296. The allure of per diem dental hygienist pay in Anniston offers flexibility, but it also comes with an associated risk. Temp agencies in larger metro areas often pay dental hygienists between $40 and $60 per hour, but the lower hourly rates in Anniston can lead to financial decisions on accepting part-time roles over higher-paying full-time positions that lack benefits. The type of employer significantly affects hourly pay—solo practices may offer lower rates compared to Dental Service Organizations like Heartland or Aspen. As dental hygienists negotiate their contracts, understanding the trade-offs between hourly wages and benefits from larger employers can help inform their career choices and financial planning in Anniston.
More salary data for Anniston, AL:
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 Anniston. 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