Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Providence, RI: $45.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Providence, RI runs $45.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,722 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Providence's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.8, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $44.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,236 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Providence, Rhode Island, a dental hygienist earns a median hourly pay of $45.06, which falls short when compared to the national average hourly median of $49.49. This hourly rate allows for a comfortable income, especially for those working part-time, such as individuals committing to three days a week, with shifts typically ranging from 24 to 30 hours weekly. For per diem dental hygienists in this area, who may find themselves working in settings from general dentistry operatories to public health mobile clinics, the hourly rate can vary from $41.94 to $52.62, reflecting both entry-level positions and those in specialized environments. The data presented is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, confirming Providence’s competitive yet nuanced healthcare job market.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.94 | $335.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.40 | $339.17 |
| Median (P50) | $45.06 | $360.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.31 | $394.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.62 | $420.94 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Providence
Based on $45.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.06/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Providence, RI can expect to earn approximately $93,727 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,073. With a cost-of-living index of 101.77 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Providence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Providence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,802.45 | $7,811 | $93,727 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,081.47 | $4,686 | $56,236 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $720.98 | $3,124 | $37,491 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Providence) | $45.06 |
| 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 Providence, RI earn a median of $93,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.96% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 9.40% below the Rhode Island state average of $103,446.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.06/hr = $56,236/year (purchasing power: $55,257).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,727/year (purchasing power: $92,095).
CoL index: 101.773 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$36.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.06/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Providence (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $36.65/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Providence grew 17.2% from $36.65/hr (2020) to $42.94/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.29/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 Providence 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 Providence
Focusing on part-time work, a dental hygienist maintaining a 24-hour work week can anticipate an annual income of around $56,049, which is significantly lower than full-timers but still represents a viable option for those balancing other responsibilities. For hygienists who prefer the flexibility of per diem or agency roles, rates typically range from $40 to $60 per hour, influenced heavily by local demand and the specific dental settings. Dentists’ offices—both independent and those affiliated with Dental Service Organizations—commonly pay competitive hourly wages, but the trade-off often involves sacrificing benefits like health insurance. Overall, while some professionals may choose to work for higher hourly pay without benefits, others may seek the stability that comes with a salaried position, indicating a key negotiation consideration for dental hygienists in Providence. As the demand for oral health professionals grows, those entering the field in 2026 should consider their unique preferences and financial needs in navigating hourly compensation.
More salary data for Providence, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Providence. 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