Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in College Park, MD: $52.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in College Park, MD runs $52.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $109,839 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against College Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.3, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,902 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In College Park, Maryland, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $52.81, which surpasses the national median of $49.49. This competitive rate provides substantial earning potential for both part-time and per-diem workers, who commonly operate within various settings such as general dentistry clinics, periodontal offices, and even public health mobile clinics. For those working three days a week as dental hygienists, the flexible schedule allows them to balance work and life while still enjoying an attractive hourly wage. Additionally, entry-level positions may offer rates starting at $39.91, while experienced professionals can command up to $67.83 an hour, painting a broad spectrum of financial opportunities based on experience and employer type.
About the College Park Market
Salary estimated from Maryland average ($103,524) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.91 | $319.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.22 | $353.77 |
| Median (P50) | $52.81 | $422.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.98 | $471.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.83 | $542.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in College Park
Based on $52.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.81/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in College Park, MD can expect to earn approximately $109,836 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,367. With a cost-of-living index of 109.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in College Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in College Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,112.23 | $9,153 | $109,836 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,267.34 | $5,492 | $65,902 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $844.89 | $3,661 | $43,934 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (College Park) | $52.81 |
| 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 College Park, MD earn a median of $109,839 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.70% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 2.40% below the Maryland state average of $112,540.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.81/hr = $65,902/year (purchasing power: $60,294).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $109,836/year (purchasing power: $100,490).
CoL index: 109.3 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$43.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$50.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.81/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in College Park (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $43.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $45.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $50.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in College Park grew 16.6% from $43.15/hr (2020) to $50.32/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $55.41/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 College Park 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 College Park
Earning potential varies significantly among different types of employers in College Park. A dental hygienist working part-time for three days a week might bring home annual earnings that are commendable, but still markedly lower than their full-time counterparts. Those seeking per diem positions can benefit from flexible schedules, often earning between $40 to $60 per hour through temporary agencies, with high-cost-of-living cities pushing rates even higher. Employment in dental service organizations (DSOs) may offer predictable paychecks, but some hygienists might accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance. Negotiating your hourly pay in this regional market could hinge on demonstrating experience and willingness to work in less desirable hours or locations, emphasizing the importance of understanding local employer dynamics where dental hygienists can thrive.
More salary data for College Park, MD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in College Park in 2026?
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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 College Park. 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 College Park 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