Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Norfolk, NE: $42.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Norfolk, NE runs $42.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,727 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Norfolk's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,635 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Norfolk, NE, the projected hourly pay for dental hygienists is $42.18, which falls short of the national median hourly rate of $49.49. This difference may influence part-time professionals who work three days a week, as well as those looking for per diem opportunities in various settings, including general dentistry offices, pediatric evaluations, and public health clinics. For entry-level dental hygienists, the hourly rate starts around $35.35, while experienced professionals can earn upwards of $51.26 per hour. Given that these figures are estimates based on annual salary data, they provide insight into the earning potential within this essential healthcare role in Norfolk.
About the Norfolk Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($85,098) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.35 | $282.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.67 | $301.39 |
| Median (P50) | $42.18 | $337.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.60 | $364.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.26 | $410.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Norfolk
Based on $42.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.18/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Norfolk, NE can expect to earn approximately $87,725 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,610. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Norfolk.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Norfolk
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,687.02 | $7,310 | $87,725 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,012.21 | $4,386 | $52,635 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $674.81 | $2,924 | $35,090 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Norfolk) | $42.18 |
| 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 Norfolk, NE earn a median of $87,727 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.78% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 6.90% below the Nebraska state average of $94,228.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.18/hr = $52,635/year (purchasing power: $57,524).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,725/year (purchasing power: $95,874).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$32.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.18/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Norfolk (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $32.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Norfolk grew 22.4% from $32.84/hr (2020) to $40.19/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.26/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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk
On the part-time front, a dental hygienist working a typical schedule of 24 hours a week could expect to take home approximately $52,576 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart. The per diem scenario offers more variability, with temp agencies typically paying between $40-$60 per hour, allowing for greater flexibility but often with fewer benefits. In Norfolk, hourly rates can vary based on the type of practice; those in Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Aspen might receive higher pay, along with benefits, as opposed to independent practices, which may offer more competitive hourly rates but fewer perks. Dental hygienists should weigh these trade-offs when considering job options, negotiating for better pay by emphasizing their unique skills or exploring opportunities with practices that provide health insurance versus those that pay higher hourly rates without such benefits.
More salary data for Norfolk, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Norfolk in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Norfolk?
Are dental hygienists in Norfolk paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Norfolk?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Norfolk?
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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 Norfolk. 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 Norfolk 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