Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Cottage Grove, MN: $50.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Cottage Grove, MN runs $50.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,068 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Cottage Grove's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,444 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cottage Grove, Minnesota, being a dental hygienist comes with an estimated median hourly pay of $50.04, which slightly exceeds the national median hourly rate of $49.49. This competitive pay offers a favorable opportunity for part-time dental hygienists working three days a week, allowing them to earn a substantial income while balancing personal commitments. For those considering per-diem roles, the wide hourly pay range from $38.94 for entry-level positions to around $60.50 for the top earners presents promising prospects in various clinical environments, such as general dentistry offices, pediatric practices, and even public health mobile clinics. Hourly rates, informed by projected annual data, highlight the financial viability of this career path in Cottage Grove.
About the Cottage Grove Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($98,738) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.94 | $311.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.57 | $340.59 |
| Median (P50) | $50.04 | $400.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.57 | $428.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.50 | $483.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cottage Grove
Based on $50.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.04/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cottage Grove, MN can expect to earn approximately $104,074 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,042. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cottage Grove.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cottage Grove
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,001.42 | $8,673 | $104,074 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,200.85 | $5,204 | $62,444 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $800.57 | $3,469 | $41,629 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Cottage Grove) | $50.04 |
| 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 Cottage Grove, MN earn a median of $104,068 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.09% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $105,439.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.04/hr = $62,444/year (purchasing power: $63,395).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,074/year (purchasing power: $105,658).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$36.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.04/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+44.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Cottage Grove (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $36.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.51/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Cottage Grove grew 31.5% from $36.27/hr (2020) to $47.68/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.51/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 Cottage Grove 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 Cottage Grove
Exploring the realities of part-time work, a dental hygienist in Cottage Grove who commits to a 24-hour weekly schedule could take home roughly $62,018 annually. Compared to full-time professionals, part-timers may find themselves with a flexible lifestyle, but they typically forfeit extensive benefits like health insurance and paid time off. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Cottage Grove often ranges between $40 to $60, allowing for lucrative opportunities, especially in more metropolitan areas where rates can exceed $60. Employment in solo practices versus larger group practices or Dental Service Organizations can significantly affect hourly wages as well. While some hygienists might accept lower pay for stable positions with benefits, others may negotiate higher hourly rates at practices that provide minimal benefits. Skillful negotiation is crucial, especially in a market influenced by both private practices and DSOs offering incentives and sign-on bonuses for new graduates.
More salary data for Cottage Grove, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Cottage Grove?
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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 Cottage Grove. 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 Cottage Grove 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