Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Liberal, KS: $41.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Liberal, KS runs $41.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,278 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Liberal's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,373 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Liberal, Kansas, dental hygienists can expect a median hourly rate of $41.97, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.49. This means that part-time workers, such as those operating three days a week, could see significant differences in earnings when compared to full-time positions. These professionals typically work in various environments, including general dentistry offices, pediatric exam rooms, and public health mobile clinics. The hourly pay ranges from $35.28 at the lower end for entry-level positions to $52.55 for experienced top earners in the field. This data suggests that prospective hygienists considering per-diem opportunities may also find salaries appealing, given how the hourly rates can fluctuate based on experience and workplace type, reflecting the broader trends in dental hygienist hourly pay in Liberal.
About the Liberal Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($80,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.28 | $282.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37.56 | $300.46 |
| Median (P50) | $41.97 | $335.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.89 | $351.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.55 | $420.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Liberal
Based on $41.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.97/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Liberal, KS can expect to earn approximately $87,288 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,359. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Liberal.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Liberal
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,678.62 | $7,274 | $87,288 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,007.17 | $4,364 | $52,373 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $671.45 | $2,910 | $34,915 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Liberal) | $41.97 |
| 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 Liberal, KS earn a median of $87,278 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.22% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 6.70% below the Kansas state average of $93,545.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.97/hr = $52,373/year (purchasing power: $57,616).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,288/year (purchasing power: $96,027).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$31.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.97/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+41.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Liberal (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $31.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Liberal grew 28.5% from $31.12/hr (2020) to $39.99/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.04/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 Liberal 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 Liberal
When looking at earning potential, a dental hygienist working part-time in Liberal typically earns different annual pay compared to full-timers. For instance, a hygienist working 24 hours a week may generate income that translates to a comfortable living, albeit less than a full-time counterpart. In contrast, per diem dental hygienist pay in Liberal often ranges from the mid to upper $40s, which is competitive. Additionally, agency-driven opportunities in higher-cost markets can exceed $60 an hour, highlighting the variability in earnings based on location and employment type. In Liberal, hourly rates may also reflect workplace settings; those joining larger DSOs often find structures that offer benefits, such as health insurance, at the expense of slightly lower hourly pay. Negotiating during hiring discussions can also significantly impact wages, so knowing the local market and demonstrating skills can help dental hygienists secure better compensation agreements.
More salary data for Liberal, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Liberal in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Liberal?
Are dental hygienists in Liberal paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Liberal?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Liberal?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 Liberal. 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 Liberal 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