Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Gainesville, GA: $46.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Gainesville, GA runs $46.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,426 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Gainesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,463 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gainesville, Georgia, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to reflect a median rate of $46.85 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $49.49. For those considering part-time positions or per-diem work in general dentistry, pediatric specialty offices, or public health clinics, this hourly rate can translate into a substantial income while offering flexible scheduling. The hourly pay scales from around $36.95 for entry-level positions to as high as $48.98 for highly experienced practitioners. This data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and highlights the competitive nature of the profession in Gainesville, reflecting both local demand and the skill level of the workforce.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.95 | $295.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.40 | $323.22 |
| Median (P50) | $46.85 | $374.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.79 | $390.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.98 | $391.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gainesville
Based on $46.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.85/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gainesville, GA can expect to earn approximately $97,438 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,214. With a cost-of-living index of 96.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gainesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gainesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,873.81 | $8,120 | $97,438 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,124.29 | $4,872 | $58,463 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $749.52 | $3,248 | $38,975 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Gainesville) | $46.85 |
| 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 Gainesville, GA earn a median of $97,426 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.36% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 14.00% above the Georgia state average of $85,462.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.85/hr = $58,463/year (purchasing power: $60,417).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,438/year (purchasing power: $100,695).
CoL index: 96.766 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$27.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.85/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+77.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Gainesville (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $27.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Gainesville grew 61.2% from $27.70/hr (2020) to $44.64/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.16/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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville
Part-time dental hygienists working three days a week, roughly equivalent to 24 hours, can expect to earn an annual income significantly below full-time counterparts, while still bringing home a respectable paycheck. For these professionals, the choice to work per diem can yield variable compensation, with agencies typically offering $40 to $60 per hour. In contrast, those in higher cost-of-living cities might see rates balloon to $60-$85 per hour, reflecting the demand in specialized markets. Salaries across different employer types in Gainesville can also vary significantly; dental service organizations like Heartland and Aspen may lure new graduates with sign-on bonuses, while smaller practices may offer lower hourly rates but provide benefits such as health insurance. Ultimately, negotiable components of the position, including the trade-off of hourly pay versus benefits, make it vital for hygienists to consider their long-term career goals in addition to immediate pay rates.
More salary data for Gainesville, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Gainesville in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Gainesville?
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Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Gainesville?
Related Pages
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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 Gainesville. 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, 5-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