Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Hays, KS: $42.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Hays, KS runs $42.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,615 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Hays's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,569 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hays, Kansas, dental hygienists can expect a median hourly pay of $42.12, which falls below the national median of $49.49 per hour. This rate significantly impacts part-time workers, such as those who work three days a week in settings like general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, or public health clinics, as well as per-diem professionals. For example, a part-time hygienist might take home around $2,019 weekly based on a typical 24-hour work schedule. Entry-level dental hygienists may earn around $35.83 per hour while top earners in the area can achieve rates as high as $51.52 per hour, reflecting the competitive nature of this profession within the local job market. These hourly figures are drawn from projected annual salary estimates and highlight the variation in earnings based on experience and type of practice.
About the Hays Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($80,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.83 | $286.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.90 | $303.23 |
| Median (P50) | $42.12 | $336.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.84 | $366.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.52 | $412.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hays
Based on $42.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.12/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hays, KS can expect to earn approximately $87,616 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,547. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hays.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hays
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,684.92 | $7,301 | $87,616 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,010.95 | $4,381 | $52,569 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $673.97 | $2,921 | $35,046 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Hays) | $42.12 |
| 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 Hays, KS earn a median of $87,615 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 6.40% below the Kansas state average of $93,606.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.12/hr = $52,569/year (purchasing power: $57,832).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,616/year (purchasing power: $96,387).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$31.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.12/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+41.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Hays (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $31.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Hays grew 28.5% from $31.24/hr (2020) to $40.14/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.20/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 Hays 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 Hays
When analyzing earnings potential in Hays, it's essential to highlight the differences between part-time and full-time work in this field. A dental hygienist working just three days a week may earn an annual take-home of approximately $105,000, while a full-time hygienist would see an annual income closer to $87,615. Per diem work can also bring higher wages; however, agency pay rates tend to fluctuate between $40 to $60 per hour depending on the region. Interestingly, the type of employer significantly influences hourly compensation as well, with solo dental practices and DSOs like Heartland Dental or Aspen typically offering different pay structures. Some dental hygienists may choose lower hourly wages for the benefits provided by larger employers, while others may prefer higher pay in exchange for more flexible, unbenefitted roles. When negotiating pay in Hays, understanding these dynamics and being ready to discuss the value of benefits versus pay can lead to better outcomes for dental hygienists seeking favorable employment terms.
More salary data for Hays, KS:
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 Hays. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hays is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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