Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Daphne, AL: $30.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Daphne, AL runs $30.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,013 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Daphne's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,412 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Daphne, Alabama, dental hygienists can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $30.78, considerably lower than the national median hourly rate of $49.49. This disparity highlights the regional variations in compensation, which can significantly impact part-time and per-diem workers. For instance, a dental hygienist working three days a week could earn around $30,000 annually, making this role appealing for those seeking flexible part-time opportunities. The hourly wage ranges from $24.28 for entry-level positions up to $35.77 for those at the top of their field, reflecting the diverse work settings which include general dental offices, pediatric practices, and public health clinics. This data, extracted from Bureau of Labor Statistics data and projected to 2026, underscores the importance of knowing one’s worth and compensation trends in Daphne.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.28 | $194.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.10 | $240.77 |
| Median (P50) | $30.78 | $246.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.53 | $252.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.77 | $286.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Daphne
Based on $30.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.78/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Daphne, AL can expect to earn approximately $64,020 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,935. With a cost-of-living index of 94.69 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Daphne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Daphne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,231.16 | $5,335 | $64,020 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $738.69 | $3,201 | $38,412 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $492.46 | $2,134 | $25,608 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Daphne) | $30.78 |
| 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 Daphne, AL earn a median of $64,013 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.82% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.80% above the Alabama state average of $63,505.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.78/hr = $38,412/year (purchasing power: $40,566).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,020/year (purchasing power: $67,610).
CoL index: 94.69 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$21.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.78/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Daphne (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $21.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Daphne grew 34.0% from $21.89/hr (2020) to $29.33/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.30/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 Daphne 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 Daphne
Considering part-time and per-diem opportunities, dental hygienists in Daphne may face varied earning potentials. Working just three days a week yields a take-home amount that might not equate to a full-time salary but offers a convenient option for those valuing work-life balance. It's also worth exploring the per diem dental hygienist pay in Daphne, where temporary or agency positions might pay rates upwards of $40-60 per hour in larger markets, contrasting with local averages. When it comes to hourly rates in this area, differences in employer type can create diverse pay scales; solo practices may offer less than dental service organizations or specialty offices, which often provide benefits such as health insurance that lower hourly rates. As such, effective negotiation strategies are essential in securing optimal pay. Being informed about market trends can help dental hygienists navigate these discussions and make choices that align with their financial and professional goals.
More salary data for Daphne, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Daphne in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Daphne?
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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 Daphne. 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