Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Kenosha, WI: $48.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Kenosha, WI runs $48.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,393 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Kenosha's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.1, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,833 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Kenosha, Wisconsin, are expected to earn a median hourly rate of $48.74. While this wage is slightly below the national median of $49.49, it remains competitive within the region, especially considering the wide hourly range which corresponds to entry-level positions starting at approximately $41.08 and seasoned professionals potentially earning up to $50.48. This hourly pay structure makes it feasible for many dental hygienists to pursue part-time opportunities, such as working three days a week, while also catering to the per diem workforce that operates in diverse settings—from general dentistry offices to pediatric clinics and public health mobile units. These hourly rates not only reflect the demand for qualified dental hygienists but also align with the fluctuations commonly seen in this field across different employment environments.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.08 | $328.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44.54 | $356.29 |
| Median (P50) | $48.74 | $389.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.79 | $398.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.48 | $403.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kenosha
Based on $48.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.74/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kenosha, WI can expect to earn approximately $101,389 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,494. With a cost-of-living index of 101.12 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kenosha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kenosha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,949.79 | $8,449 | $101,389 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,169.87 | $5,069 | $60,833 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $779.91 | $3,380 | $40,556 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Kenosha) | $48.74 |
| 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 Kenosha, WI earn a median of $101,393 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.51% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.70% above the Wisconsin state average of $100,688.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.74/hr = $60,833/year (purchasing power: $60,161).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,389/year (purchasing power: $100,268).
CoL index: 101.118 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$33.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.74/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+52.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Kenosha (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $33.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Kenosha grew 38.0% from $33.66/hr (2020) to $46.45/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.15/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 Kenosha 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 Kenosha
For dental hygienists opting for part-time work, the financial implications can be significant. A hygienist working 24 hours a week may take home roughly $61,000 annually, which is a considerable earning potential compared to the full-time earnings of their peers. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Kenosha generally ranges based on experience, but locally it can start around $40 per hour and may reach upwards of $60 in different metro areas for temporary agency positions, a stark contrast to standard employment roles. Additionally, the type of employer plays a vital role in pay variations, with solo practices, multi-doctor groups, DSOs, and specialty offices offering differing compensation structures. Hygienists should weigh the trade-offs between higher hourly rates without benefits versus lower rates with insurance and paid time off. As negotiations loom, being informed about the specific needs of individual settings and understanding local market trends will empower dental hygienists in Kenosha to negotiate effectively for their worth.
More salary data for Kenosha, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Kenosha in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Kenosha?
Are dental hygienists in Kenosha paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Kenosha?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Kenosha?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 Kenosha. 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