Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Lafayette, IN: $46.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Lafayette, IN runs $46.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,282 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $57,769 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Indiana, the dental hygienist hourly pay stands at a robust $46.29 as projected for 2026, which positions it slightly below the national hourly median of $49.49. This figure is significant for both full-time and part-time positions, for instance, a hygienist working three days a week can still earn a substantial income while balancing other commitments. The hourly rate varies across experience levels, with entry-level professionals starting around $34.08 and top-earning hygienists achieving up to $51.47 per hour. This official BLS data, sourced from the 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, indicates a favorable outlook for dental hygienists in various settings, such as general dentistry, pediatric offices, and public health facilities in Lafayette.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.08 | $272.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.43 | $323.47 |
| Median (P50) | $46.29 | $370.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.62 | $404.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.47 | $411.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $46.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.29/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, IN can expect to earn approximately $96,281 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,547. With a cost-of-living index of 93.43 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,851.56 | $8,023 | $96,281 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,110.94 | $4,814 | $57,769 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $740.62 | $3,209 | $38,512 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Lafayette) | $46.29 |
| 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 Lafayette, IN earn a median of $96,282 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.47% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 6.40% above the Indiana state average of $90,491.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.29/hr = $57,769/year (purchasing power: $61,831).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,281/year (purchasing power: $103,052).
CoL index: 93.43 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$32.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.29/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+48.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lafayette (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $32.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Lafayette grew 35.1% from $32.65/hr (2020) to $44.11/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.58/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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette
Evaluating the per diem dental hygienist pay in Lafayette reveals opportunities for flexible work arrangements that can significantly enhance income potential. A dental hygienist working three days per week for 24 hours could expect an annual take-home significantly lower than a full-time counterpart, which can be less than $64,000. However, per diem positions offer unique advantages, enabling professionals to command rates between $40 and $60 per hour, with market trends indicating that locations with a higher cost of living can push these figures past $60. In Lafayette, rates differ among employer types; solo practices may offer varying compensation compared to large Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) that often attract candidates with perks such as health benefits and sign-on bonuses. For those in the field, negotiating hourly rates should consider factors like benefits, job security, and hours worked, allowing dental hygienists to weigh their priorities effectively for a sustainable career in this evolving industry.
More salary data for Lafayette, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Lafayette in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Lafayette?
Are dental hygienists in Lafayette paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Lafayette?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Lafayette?
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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 Lafayette. 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