Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Yakima, WA: $60.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Yakima, WA runs $60.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $126,652 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Yakima's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $63.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $75,999 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Yakima offers an attractive dental hygienist hourly pay of $60.90, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $49.49. This favorable rate not only enhances the appeal for full-time positions but also makes part-time (working three days a week) and per-diem opportunities quite lucrative. With an hourly range extending from $50.58 for entry-level roles to $67.94 for top earners, dental hygienists can find employment in diverse settings, including general dentistry offices, specialty clinics, and public health facilities. This data, derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, reflects the competitive nature of the dental hygiene field in Yakima, WA.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50.58 | $404.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.29 | $426.31 |
| Median (P50) | $60.90 | $487.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.79 | $518.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.94 | $543.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Yakima
Based on $60.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $60.90/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Yakima, WA can expect to earn approximately $126,665 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $73,076. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Yakima.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Yakima
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,435.87 | $10,555 | $126,665 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,461.52 | $6,333 | $75,999 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $974.35 | $4,222 | $50,666 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Yakima) | $60.90 |
| 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 Yakima, WA earn a median of $126,652 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.03% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 1.80% below the Washington state average of $128,974.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $60.90/hr = $75,999/year (purchasing power: $79,543).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $126,665/year (purchasing power: $132,571).
CoL index: 95.545 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$47.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$60.90/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+35.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Yakima (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $47.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $51.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Yakima grew 23.4% from $47.01/hr (2020) to $58.03/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $63.90/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 Yakima 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 Yakima
Focusing on part-time opportunities, a dental hygienist working three days a week may take home approximately $75,282 annually, demonstrating that even part-time work can yield a solid income compared to full-time positions, especially considering that many hygienists in Yakima earn well above the national average. For locum positions, temp agencies often offer a range of $40-$60/hr, although agency work may vary significantly across different metropolitan areas. Employment types greatly influence hourly compensation; solo practices might provide lower rates, while full-service organizations and DSOs could offer higher pay alongside benefits. Many dental hygienists weigh their options between higher hourly rates with no benefits against lower pay that includes comprehensive health insurance. When negotiating hourly rates in Yakima, professionals should highlight their unique qualifications and experiences while being informed about local pay structures, as every point could influence compensation in this evolving field.
More salary data for Yakima, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Yakima in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Yakima?
Are dental hygienists in Yakima paid hourly or salary?
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Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Yakima?
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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 Yakima. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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