Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Lee's Summit, MO: $43.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Lee's Summit, MO runs $43.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,529 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Lee's Summit's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,722 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lee's Summit, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected at $43.05 in 2026, which is significantly less than the national hourly median of $49.49. This discrepancy means that dental hygienists working part-time, such as three days a week, may experience lower overall earnings compared to their peers in higher-paying regions. Per-diem workers in this profession typically earn within an hourly range of $32.79 to $57.55, making it an appealing option for those seeking flexible working arrangements in diverse settings including general practices, pediatric offices, and public health clinics. With this hourly rate, entry-level hygienists can expect to start on the lower end, while top earners in Lee's Summit can make closer to $57.55 per hour, showcasing a range that accommodates both novice and experienced professionals.
About the Lee's Summit Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($86,161) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.79 | $262.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36.44 | $291.48 |
| Median (P50) | $43.05 | $344.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.94 | $391.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.55 | $460.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lee's Summit
Based on $43.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.05/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lee's Summit, MO can expect to earn approximately $89,536 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,656. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lee's Summit.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lee's Summit
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,721.86 | $7,461 | $89,536 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,033.11 | $4,477 | $53,722 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $688.74 | $2,985 | $35,815 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Lee's Summit) | $43.05 |
| 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 Lee's Summit, MO earn a median of $89,529 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.03% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.90% below the Missouri state average of $90,342.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.05/hr = $53,722/year (purchasing power: $59,957).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,536/year (purchasing power: $99,929).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$32.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.05/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+37.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lee's Summit (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $32.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Lee's Summit grew 25.2% from $32.77/hr (2020) to $41.02/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.17/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 Lee's Summit 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 Lee's Summit
Considering the part-time earning potential for a dental hygienist in Lee's Summit, working three days a week culminates in an annual income that can still provide a comfortable living, albeit less than that of full-time colleagues. Per diem or agency dental hygienists in the area have the potential to earn $40-$60 per hour, which varies by employer type; practices affiliated with Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) may offer higher hourly rates to attract talent in a competitive market. While some dental hygienists choose to prioritize benefits such as health insurance, which often come with lower hourly wages, others favor the flexibility of higher pay without benefits. To enhance negotiation outcomes, it’s advisable for dental hygienists to emphasize their skills and local market conditions when discussing compensation with employers in Lee's Summit, aligning their rates with the realities of the dental hygienist hourly rate landscape in Missouri.
More salary data for Lee's Summit, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Lee's Summit in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Lee's Summit?
Are dental hygienists in Lee's Summit paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Lee's Summit?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Lee's Summit?
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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 Lee's Summit. 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 Lee's Summit 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