Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Portsmouth, VA: $48.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Portsmouth, VA runs $48.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,898 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Portsmouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,135 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portsmouth, Virginia, dental hygienists can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $48.99, which sits just below the national median of $49.49 per hour. This hourly rate can significantly benefit part-time professionals working three days a week, allowing flexibility while still providing a solid income. For those seeking per-diem positions, the pay offers a competitive range, reflecting entry-level positions starting around $37.72 per hour and experienced hygienists earning up to $61.88 per hour. With a diverse work environment that includes general dentistry offices, specialized practices in pediatrics and periodontics, and public health settings, dental hygienists in Portsmouth enjoy a variety of roles and responsibilities, helping them find work that suits their lifestyle and professional goals.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($94,466) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.72 | $301.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.64 | $333.12 |
| Median (P50) | $48.99 | $391.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.87 | $430.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.88 | $495.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portsmouth
Based on $48.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.99/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portsmouth, VA can expect to earn approximately $101,891 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,783. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portsmouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portsmouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,959.44 | $8,491 | $101,891 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,175.66 | $5,095 | $61,135 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $783.78 | $3,396 | $40,756 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Portsmouth) | $48.99 |
| 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 Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $101,898 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.02% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $105,266.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.99/hr = $61,135/year (purchasing power: $59,239).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,891/year (purchasing power: $98,731).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$36.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.99/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+42.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Portsmouth (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $36.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Portsmouth grew 29.6% from $36.03/hr (2020) to $46.68/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.41/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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
Part-time dental hygienists in Portsmouth who work 24 hours a week might find their annual earnings to be considerably different from those working full-time. By earning $48.99 per hour, a part-time hygienist would take home about $61,974 annually, which can provide a reasonable standard of living depending on personal circumstances. Per diem and temporary work offers intriguing flexibility, albeit at varying pay scales; such professionals can see rates between $40 and $60 per hour in the local market. While Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often provide competitive hourly pay rates, they might also offer additional benefits such as health insurance, which some independent contractors may forego in favor of higher hourly rates. Negotiating pay can be particularly advantageous in Portsmouth, especially when addressing different employer types that can impact hourly wages, whether in family-run practices or larger corporate settings.
More salary data for Portsmouth, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Portsmouth in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Portsmouth?
Are dental hygienists in Portsmouth paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Portsmouth?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Portsmouth?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth 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