Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Waukesha, WI: $50.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Waukesha, WI runs $50.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,966 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Waukesha's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,981 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental hygienists in Waukesha, Wisconsin, can expect a median hourly pay of $50.47 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national median of $49.49. This competitive hourly rate is conducive for part-time work, allowing professionals to fit their careers into a three-day workweek without compromising on earnings. Part-time hygienists can find themselves earning between $37.70 and $62.42 per hour, depending on experience and workplace settings. This flexibility also extends to per-diem workers, who may take advantage of varied clinical environments, ranging from general dentistry operatories to public health mobile clinics. The solid earning potential attracts many in the profession, especially those seeking a balance between work and personal life.
About the Waukesha Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($84,362) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.70 | $301.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.00 | $335.98 |
| Median (P50) | $50.47 | $403.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.57 | $436.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.42 | $499.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waukesha
Based on $50.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.47/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waukesha, WI can expect to earn approximately $104,969 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,559. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waukesha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waukesha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,018.63 | $8,747 | $104,969 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,211.18 | $5,248 | $62,981 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $807.45 | $3,499 | $41,987 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Waukesha) | $50.47 |
| 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 Waukesha, WI earn a median of $104,966 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.96% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 4.20% above the Wisconsin state average of $100,735.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.47/hr = $62,981/year (purchasing power: $67,432).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,969/year (purchasing power: $112,386).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$34.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.47/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+55.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Waukesha (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $34.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Waukesha grew 41.4% from $34.02/hr (2020) to $48.09/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.96/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 Waukesha 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 Waukesha
When considering the overall financial landscape for dental hygienists in Waukesha, part-time professionals working 24 hours a week can expect their income to reflect a significant sum, often reaching close to $62,000 annually, while full-time hygienists will see considerably higher earnings. For those exploring per-diem dental hygienist pay in Waukesha, many agencies offer rates between $40 and $60 per hour, but these can vary significantly based on employer type. Group practices, Dental Service Organizations, and specialty offices may pay on the higher end compared to solo dental practices. Some hygienists opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, which can influence overall compensation significantly. Negotiating these rates is crucial; strong candidates can capitalize on the growing demand for dental hygienists, especially with the projected 4.94% growth rate across the next few years, making it essential for professionals in Waukesha to understand their worth in this evolving market.
More salary data for Waukesha, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Waukesha in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Waukesha?
Are dental hygienists in Waukesha paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Waukesha?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Waukesha?
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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 Waukesha. 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 Waukesha 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