Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Fuquay-Varina, NC: $47.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Fuquay-Varina, NC runs $47.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,911 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Fuquay-Varina's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,340 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fuquay-Varina, NC, dental hygienists earn a median hourly rate of $47.55, slightly below the national median of $49.49. This competitive pay reflects the city's strong demand for dental hygiene professionals in various settings, such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and public health clinics. For those considering part-time or per-diem roles, this hourly rate can translate to about $1,141 for a three-day work week, assuming a typical schedule of eight hours per day. New dental hygienists may start on the lower end of the scale, with entry-level rates around $36.68 per hour, while the most experienced hygienists in the area can earn as much as $57.11. These figures are derived from estimated annual salary data, providing a clear picture of earning potential for hygienists in the growing health care field.
About the Fuquay-Varina Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($90,933) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.68 | $293.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.06 | $336.48 |
| Median (P50) | $47.55 | $380.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.69 | $405.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.11 | $456.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fuquay-Varina
Based on $47.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.55/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fuquay-Varina, NC can expect to earn approximately $98,900 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,058. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fuquay-Varina.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fuquay-Varina
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,901.93 | $8,242 | $98,900 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,141.16 | $4,945 | $59,340 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $760.77 | $3,297 | $39,560 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Fuquay-Varina) | $47.55 |
| 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 Fuquay-Varina, NC earn a median of $98,911 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.92% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $100,622.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.55/hr = $59,340/year (purchasing power: $63,398).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,900/year (purchasing power: $105,663).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$33.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.55/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+47.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Fuquay-Varina (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $33.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.90/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Fuquay-Varina grew 33.7% from $33.90/hr (2020) to $45.31/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.90/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 Fuquay-Varina 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 Fuquay-Varina
Examining the financial landscape for part-time dental hygienists reveals that working just three days a week (24 hours) could yield approximately $62,868 annually, a significant income even without full-time hours. In contrast, per diem dental hygienist pay in Fuquay-Varina generally aligns with local market rates, hovering between $40 to $60 per hour based on agency staffing models, whereas urban environments like San Francisco and New York could push those rates even higher. Hourly rates can vary significantly depending on the type of employer, such as solo practices, multi-doctor groups, or Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), with many DSOs offering additional benefits such as health insurance that can offset a lower hourly rate. When negotiating pay, dental hygienists should consider the trade-offs between higher hourly wages without benefits and roles that offer security with a lower pay rate, enabling them to make informed choices in line with their career goals in the Fuquay-Varina area.
More salary data for Fuquay-Varina, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Fuquay-Varina in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Fuquay-Varina?
Are dental hygienists in Fuquay-Varina paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Fuquay-Varina?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Fuquay-Varina?
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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 Fuquay-Varina. 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 Fuquay-Varina 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