Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Bellevue, NE: $43.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Bellevue, NE runs $43.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $91,214 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Bellevue's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $54,730 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellevue, Nebraska, dental hygienists command a median hourly rate of $43.85, which is approximately 11.40% lower than the national average of $49.49 per hour. This figure reflects the estimated hourly rates drawn from annual salary data, showcasing a range from $33.68 at the 10th percentile to $57.20 at the 90th percentile. The hourly pay offers attractive opportunities, especially for part-time professionals working three days a week, along with per-diem dental hygienists. These settings include general dentistry operatories, specialty offices focused on pediatrics or periodontal care, and public health clinics. Given the varying healthcare environments, dental hygienists in Bellevue can find themselves in a competitive hourly pay structure, influenced by regional demand and the specific practice's financial capabilities.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($85,098) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.68 | $269.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.32 | $298.53 |
| Median (P50) | $43.85 | $350.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.20 | $393.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.20 | $457.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellevue
Based on $43.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.85/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellevue, NE can expect to earn approximately $91,217 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $52,625. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bellevue.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellevue
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,754.18 | $7,601 | $91,217 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,052.51 | $4,561 | $54,730 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $701.67 | $3,041 | $36,487 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Bellevue) | $43.85 |
| 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 Bellevue, NE earn a median of $91,214 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.40% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.20% below the Nebraska state average of $94,229.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.85/hr = $54,730/year (purchasing power: $59,815).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $91,217/year (purchasing power: $99,691).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$34.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.85/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Bellevue (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $34.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Bellevue grew 22.4% from $34.14/hr (2020) to $41.79/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.02/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 Bellevue 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 Bellevue
For part-time dental hygienists in Bellevue, working 24 hours a week, the earning potential can lead to an annual income significantly lower than full-time counterparts. While a full-time dental hygienist might expect total take-home earnings exceeding $90,000, part-time workers could anticipate a considerably reduced figure. Meanwhile, per diem dental hygienists can expect to earn between $40 to $60 per hour when working through temp agencies, which is competitive for the field. However, higher-cost cities might see temp rates reaching $60 to $85 per hour. The type of employer also affects pay scales; small practices often offer lower rates compared to larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental or Pacific Dental, which may include additional benefits in exchange for a slightly lower hourly wage. Negotiation strategies will be critical for Bellevue hygienists to maximize earning potential, particularly those who prioritize a higher hourly rate over employee benefits like health insurance.
More salary data for Bellevue, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Bellevue in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Bellevue?
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How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Bellevue?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Bellevue?
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 Bellevue. 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 Bellevue 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