Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $48.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Wilmington, NC runs $48.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,477 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $50.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,886 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Wilmington, North Carolina, earn a median hourly rate of $48.79, slightly trailing the national median of $49.49. This hourly rate provides a competitive earnings opportunity, especially for those working part-time or as per-diem professionals in settings like general dentistry operatories, specialty suites, and public health clinics. For instance, a dental hygienist working three days a week might find that their part-time schedule offers significant flexibility while still yielding a substantial income. Entry-level positions start around $40.73 per hour, while top earners can make up to $52.46 per hour, reflecting the diverse range of pay based on experience and workplace settings, as detailed in the official BLS data.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.73 | $325.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.84 | $334.72 |
| Median (P50) | $48.79 | $390.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.92 | $407.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.46 | $419.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $48.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.79/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $101,476 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,544. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,951.46 | $8,456 | $101,476 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,170.88 | $5,074 | $60,886 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $780.59 | $3,383 | $40,590 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Wilmington) | $48.79 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC earn a median of $101,477 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.43% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.80% above the North Carolina state average of $100,672.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.79/hr = $60,886/year (purchasing power: $63,145).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,476/year (purchasing power: $105,242).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$35.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.79/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+45.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Wilmington (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $35.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Wilmington grew 32.5% from $35.09/hr (2020) to $46.49/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.20/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Examining the part-time earning potential for dental hygienists in Wilmington reveals considerable differences compared to their full-time counterparts. A dental hygienist working 24 hours weekly can expect an annual take-home figure reflecting a more balanced work-life scenario, despite earning less overall than a full-time employee. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Wilmington shows variation; while many agency roles fall within a range of $40 to $60 per hour, certain metropolitan areas drive compensation higher, particularly in locations with a high cost of living. With various employment types available, including solo dental practices and larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), it's crucial for dental hygienists to weigh the benefits of traditional roles versus the sometimes higher hourly pay found in contract positions. Many hygienists opt for positions with lower pay but better benefits, including health insurance, making negotiation skills essential when considering hourly roles in this dynamic industry.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Wilmington in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Wilmington?
Are dental hygienists in Wilmington paid hourly or salary?
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Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Wilmington?
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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 Wilmington. 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