Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Athens, GA: $41.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Athens, GA runs $41.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,872 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Athens's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,522 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Athens, Georgia, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to be $41.28 in 2026, a figure notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $49.49. This difference represents not only local market dynamics but also the cost of living in the area, which stands at a cost of living index of 93.343 compared to the national average. For part-time employees working three days a week, this equates to a gross income of approximately $32,000 per year, while per-diem dental hygienists may find varying hourly pay depending on their employment situation. The hourly wage range in Athens varies significantly, from $32.72 for entry-level positions to $47.17 for experienced hygienists at the top of their field, reflecting diverse working environments, including general and pediatric dentistry, periodontal practices, and community health settings, which employ approximately 130 dental hygienists.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.72 | $261.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.17 | $313.39 |
| Median (P50) | $41.28 | $330.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.55 | $372.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.17 | $377.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Athens
Based on $41.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.28/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Athens, GA can expect to earn approximately $85,869 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,540. With a cost-of-living index of 93.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Athens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Athens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,651.34 | $7,156 | $85,869 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $990.80 | $4,293 | $51,522 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $660.53 | $2,862 | $34,348 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Athens) | $41.28 |
| 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 Athens, GA earn a median of $85,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.59% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.40% above the Georgia state average of $85,530.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.28/hr = $51,522/year (purchasing power: $55,196).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,869/year (purchasing power: $91,993).
CoL index: 93.343 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$44.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.28/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+-2.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Athens (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $44.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Athens grew -11.1% from $44.25/hr (2020) to $39.34/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.32/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 Athens 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 Athens
Considering the diverse employment options available in Athens, part-time dental hygienists can generate earnings that reflect their flexibility in the workplace. For someone doing this job three days a week, the annual take-home pay would be considerably less than their full-time counterparts, who work a standard 40-hour schedule. Per diem roles tend to offer competitive rates, with temporary positions often ranging between $40-60 per hour. In Georgia, the compensation for dental hygienists may vary widely based on the type of employer; solo practices and DSOs typically offer different scales of pay. While solo dental practices may provide lower hourly rates, they may compensate with a more intimate working environment. However, larger organizations may offer higher wages with added benefits, presenting a trade-off for those who prioritize health insurance over hourly pay. For those engaging in negotiations, it's vital to understand the local job market and the balance between hourly wages and the perks provided by employers in Athens, GA, which can make a meaningful difference in overall job satisfaction and financial well-being.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
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 Athens. 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