Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Augusta, GA: $40.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Augusta, GA runs $40.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,784 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Augusta's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.9, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,278 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Augusta, Georgia, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to be $40.29 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $49.49. This median hourly rate offers insights into the financial landscape for dental hygienists working part-time, such as those employed three days per week, as well as for per-diem professionals. With the pay range extending from $31.85 at the P10 level to $47.85 for those at the P90 mark, practitioners in various environments—including general dentistry operatories, periodontal practices, and pediatric offices—have the opportunity to navigate a diverse earnings structure. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data provides a solid foundation for those entering the field or considering different work arrangements throughout Augusta.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.85 | $254.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.55 | $300.38 |
| Median (P50) | $40.29 | $322.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.08 | $368.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.85 | $382.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Augusta
Based on $40.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.29/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Augusta, GA can expect to earn approximately $83,796 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,344. With a cost-of-living index of 91.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Augusta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Augusta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,611.46 | $6,983 | $83,796 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $966.88 | $4,190 | $50,278 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $644.58 | $2,793 | $33,518 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Augusta) | $40.29 |
| 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 Augusta, GA earn a median of $83,784 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.61% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.00% below the Georgia state average of $85,494.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.29/hr = $50,278/year (purchasing power: $54,707).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,796/year (purchasing power: $91,179).
CoL index: 91.903 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$28.47/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.29/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Augusta (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $28.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Augusta grew 34.8% from $28.47/hr (2020) to $38.39/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.28/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 Augusta 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 Augusta
Analyzing the hourly pay further reveals potential earnings for those choosing to work part-time versus full-time. A dental hygienist working 24 hours a week can expect to take home approximately $52,883 annually, while full-timers typically see an increase in overall earnings. Opportunities for per diem work in Augusta can also vary widely, with some temp agencies offering pay rates between $40 and $60 an hour, especially in higher cost-of-living areas. Dental hygienists in Augusta may find different pay structures depending on their employer type, whether they are in private practices, Dental Service Organizations like Heartland Dental or Pacific Dental, or public health settings. Many hygienists must weigh the benefits and trade-offs of hourly pay versus employment stability and health insurance offerings. Negotiating tips specific to Augusta include emphasizing experience and seeking clarification on benefit packages to maximize compensation, whether hourly or as part of a salaried position.
More salary data for Augusta, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Augusta?
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Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Augusta?
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 Augusta. 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