Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Cary, NC: $49.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Cary, NC runs $49.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,188 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Cary's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,907 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cary, North Carolina, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $49.61, slightly above the national median of $49.49. This competitive rate reflects the excellent job prospects found in various settings such as general dentistry offices, periodontal specialty suites, and dental service organizations (DSOs). For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the income potential remains robust, as the hourly wage allows flexible arrangements while still providing a significant take-home amount. For entry-level positions, hourly rates begin around $38.83, while seasoned hygienists can see rates reach up to $65.76 per hour, giving ample opportunity for professional growth in this rewarding field.
About the Cary 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) | $38.83 | $310.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.82 | $342.52 |
| Median (P50) | $49.61 | $396.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.27 | $434.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.76 | $526.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cary
Based on $49.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.61/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cary, NC can expect to earn approximately $103,179 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,526. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,984.21 | $8,598 | $103,179 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,190.52 | $5,159 | $61,907 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $793.68 | $3,439 | $41,271 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Cary) | $49.61 |
| 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 Cary, NC earn a median of $103,188 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.24% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 2.50% above the North Carolina state average of $100,671.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.61/hr = $61,907/year (purchasing power: $66,140).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,179/year (purchasing power: $110,234).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$34.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.61/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+50.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Cary (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $34.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.06/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Cary grew 36.3% from $34.67/hr (2020) to $47.27/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.06/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 Cary 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 Cary
Considering the unique working dynamics of dental hygienists in Cary, part-time professionals who work 24 hours weekly can earn a solid income, bringing home significantly more than the average salary for full-time workers. For per diem dental hygienists, pay ranges typically fall between $40 and $60 per hour, depending on the specific job and location. This positions them favorably, especially in high-cost areas. However, hourly rates can vary notably based on the type of practice, with solo practices often offering lower compensation compared to multi-doctor group practices or corporate DSOs, which commonly provide additional benefits like health insurance. Dental hygienists should be mindful of their negotiation strategies—evaluating both hourly pay and benefits—while assessing job offers in Cary’s growing dental market, where opportunities abound within various types of practices and specialties.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Cary. 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 Cary 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