Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Ocala, FL: $42.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Ocala, FL runs $42.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,373 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Ocala's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.2, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.11 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,425 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Ocala, Florida, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to be $42.01 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $49.49. For part-time and per-diem dental hygienists, this hourly rate can significantly impact their earnings. Those working three days a week typically find themselves in a range from $37.56 to around $46.69 per hour, depending on experience and the type of practice. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of this spectrum, whereas seasoned professionals can command rates that approach the upper limits. With the majority of dental hygienists employed in general practices, specialty offices, and public health clinics across Ocala, the hour-based pay structure aligns closely with industry standards according to official Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.56 | $300.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.33 | $306.68 |
| Median (P50) | $42.01 | $336.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.84 | $366.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.69 | $373.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ocala
Based on $42.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.01/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ocala, FL can expect to earn approximately $87,376 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,409. With a cost-of-living index of 95.23 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ocala.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ocala
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,680.30 | $7,281 | $87,376 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,008.18 | $4,369 | $52,425 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $672.12 | $2,913 | $34,950 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Ocala) | $42.01 |
| 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 Ocala, FL earn a median of $87,373 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.13% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 9.30% below the Florida state average of $96,332.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.01/hr = $52,425/year (purchasing power: $55,049).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,376/year (purchasing power: $91,748).
CoL index: 95.234 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$29.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.01/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Ocala (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $29.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.08/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Ocala grew 33.6% from $29.97/hr (2020) to $40.03/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.08/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 Ocala 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 Ocala
Exploring the earning potential for a part-time dental hygienist working in Ocala shows that a 24-hour week could yield around $52,015 annually, as opposed to a full-time wage, which would typically provide steady hours and benefits. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Ocala usually ranges from $40 to $60 per hour, illustrating potential for substantial income when working for temporary staffing agencies, especially compared to rates in larger cities. Additionally, hourly pay can differ across various settings such as solo practices versus larger DSOs like Heartland or Aspen, where some may offer lower wages but compensate with benefits. Those considering positions should weigh the decision to accept lower hourly rates for health insurance against the flexibility and potentially higher pay without benefits. Effective negotiation is key in this market; knowing the average rates and leveraging comparable offers can help ensure fair compensation in the competitive Ocala dental hygiene landscape.
More salary data for Ocala, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Ocala in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Ocala?
Are dental hygienists in Ocala paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Ocala?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Ocala?
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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 Ocala. 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