Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in South Kingstown, RI: $47.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in South Kingstown, RI runs $47.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,209 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against South Kingstown's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $46.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,921 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Kingstown, RI, dental hygienists can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $47.21 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $49.49 per hour. This hourly rate provides a reasonable standard of living, especially for those working part-time or as per diem professionals. A typical part-time schedule of three days a week could result in an annual take-home pay reflecting the flexible nature of this career. Entry-level hygienists often start around $37.41 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $59.78 per hour. Such hourly estimates are derived from 2026 projections based on 2025 BLS data, which illustrates the growing demand for dental hygiene services in various settings, including general dentist offices, periodontal specialty suites, and mobile public health clinics.
About the South Kingstown Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($85,020) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.41 | $299.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.82 | $326.57 |
| Median (P50) | $47.21 | $377.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.20 | $417.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.78 | $478.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Kingstown
Based on $47.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.21/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Kingstown, RI can expect to earn approximately $98,202 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,655. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in South Kingstown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Kingstown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,888.50 | $8,184 | $98,202 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,133.10 | $4,910 | $58,921 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $755.40 | $3,273 | $39,281 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (South Kingstown) | $47.21 |
| 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 South Kingstown, RI earn a median of $98,209 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.60% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $103,487.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.21/hr = $58,921/year (purchasing power: $58,628).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,202/year (purchasing power: $97,713).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$34.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.21/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+42.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in South Kingstown (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $34.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.59/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in South Kingstown grew 29.3% from $34.79/hr (2020) to $44.99/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.54/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 South Kingstown 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 South Kingstown
When considering part-time work, a dental hygienist in South Kingstown, working three days a week for 24 hours annually, would earn about $56,364, a notable income compared to those who work full-time. Per diem dental hygienist pay in South Kingstown typically ranges from $40 to $60 per hour, with higher rates in markets like San Francisco or New York City where they can command up to $85. Employer types significantly impact pay scales; solo practices might offer lower rates than Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which often provide benefits like health insurance that could entice employees to accept slightly lower pay for greater security. Additionally, practical negotiation strategies are vital; being informed about the rates offered by different employer types in South Kingstown empowers dental hygienists to secure the best compensation package suited to their lifestyle and financial needs.
More salary data for South Kingstown, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in South Kingstown in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in South Kingstown?
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Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in South Kingstown?
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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 South Kingstown. 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 South Kingstown 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