Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Sulphur, LA: $38.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Sulphur, LA runs $38.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,891 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Sulphur's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,933 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sulphur, LA, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to be $38.41 in 2026, which shows a significant difference compared to the national median of $49.49 per hour. This disparity reflects the local market dynamics and cost of living, where dental hygienists may work in various settings such as general dentistry offices, pediatric exam rooms, and even public health clinics. For part-time professionals working three days a week, they can expect to earn around $1,152 weekly, providing a modest income that encourages flexibility within their careers. Entry-level dental hygienists might see hourly rates beginning at $31.91, while more experienced hygienists could command up to $46.18, illustrating the diverse earning potential across the profession in Sulphur.
About the Sulphur Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($84,528) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.91 | $255.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.98 | $271.84 |
| Median (P50) | $38.41 | $307.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.21 | $329.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.18 | $369.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sulphur
Based on $38.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.41/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sulphur, LA can expect to earn approximately $79,889 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,090. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sulphur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sulphur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,536.32 | $6,657 | $79,889 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $921.79 | $3,994 | $47,933 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $614.53 | $2,663 | $31,955 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Sulphur) | $38.41 |
| 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 Sulphur, LA earn a median of $79,891 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.40% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 7.50% below the Louisiana state average of $86,368.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.41/hr = $47,933/year (purchasing power: $53,082).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,889/year (purchasing power: $88,470).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$32.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.41/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+23.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Sulphur (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $32.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.21/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Sulphur grew 11.7% from $32.77/hr (2020) to $36.60/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.31/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 Sulphur 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 Sulphur
When considering the practicality of part-time work, a dental hygienist working 24 hours weekly in Sulphur would earn approximately $59,000 annually, significantly less than what full-time hygienists can achieve. For those interested in per diem dental hygienist pay in Sulphur, the local economic trends present a mixed bag; many temporary positions can offer up to $40-60 per hour, making this option appealing for those seeking flexibility. Additionally, rates can vary by employer type, with Dental Service Organizations and group practices often providing lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance. Dentists operate independently may pay higher but may not include benefits, creating a trade-off for dental hygienists deciding where to practice. Networking with peers in the community and researching compensation strategies can be invaluable when negotiating better pay or benefits in this evolving field.
More salary data for Sulphur, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Sulphur in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Sulphur?
Are dental hygienists in Sulphur paid hourly or salary?
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Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Sulphur?
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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 Sulphur. 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 Sulphur 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