Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Fort Collins, CO: $53.80 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Fort Collins, CO runs $53.80 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $111,919 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Fort Collins's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.1, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $53.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,146 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fort Collins, CO, dental hygienists can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $53.80 in 2026, surpassing the national median hourly rate of $49.49. This competitive pay reflects the demand for skilled professionals in various settings, including general dentistry offices, pediatric exam rooms, and mobile public health clinics. For those considering part-time roles, like working three days a week, the hourly pay translates to substantial earnings, making this profession appealing for flexibility and work-life balance. The hourly range for dental hygienists in Fort Collins starts at $52.82 for entry-level positions and can reach up to $61.56 for top earners, as per the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, projected for 2026.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52.82 | $422.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.01 | $424.04 |
| Median (P50) | $53.80 | $430.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.26 | $466.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.56 | $492.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Collins
Based on $53.80/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.80/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Collins, CO can expect to earn approximately $111,910 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,563. With a cost-of-living index of 101.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fort Collins.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Collins
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,152.11 | $9,326 | $111,910 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,291.27 | $5,595 | $67,146 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $860.84 | $3,730 | $44,764 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Fort Collins) | $53.80 |
| 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 Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $111,919 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.72% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 3.10% below the Colorado state average of $115,499.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.80/hr = $67,146/year (purchasing power: $66,397).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $111,910/year (purchasing power: $110,661).
CoL index: 101.128 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$40.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.80/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+38.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Fort Collins (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $40.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.80/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Fort Collins grew 25.8% from $40.76/hr (2020) to $51.27/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.46/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 Fort Collins 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 Fort Collins
Evaluating the earning potential for dental hygienists in Fort Collins reveals significant insights, particularly for those opting for part-time or per-diem roles. A hygienist working only three days a week (24 hours) could potentially earn around $67,040 annually, which presents a solid income for many. Meanwhile, per diem dental hygienist pay in Fort Collins can vary widely; while local areas may not match the highest rates seen in places like San Francisco or New York, some practices might offer competitive pay between $40 and $60 per hour—which aligns with industry standards for temporary or agency work in various metropolitan areas. Additionally, hourly rates fluctuate depending on the type of employer. For example, solo practices might offer lower wages compared to larger DSOs like Heartland Dental or Pacific Dental Services, which often include benefits packages that can appeal to those willing to accept a slightly lower hourly rate in exchange for health insurance and job stability. Negotiating these terms effectively can enhance both job satisfaction and financial outcomes for dental hygienists in Fort Collins.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Fort Collins in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Fort Collins?
Are dental hygienists in Fort Collins paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Fort Collins?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Fort Collins?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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 Fort Collins. 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