Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Olympia, WA: $62.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Olympia, WA runs $62.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $129,024 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Olympia's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.7, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $59.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,413 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The dental hygienist hourly pay in Olympia, WA, reaches a noteworthy median of $62.03, significantly surpassing the national hourly median of $49.49. This competitive rate benefits both full-time and part-time professionals, especially those working three days a week or in per-diem roles at general dentistry offices, pediatric clinics, and public health settings. While the hourly earnings for entry-level hygienists start around $54.13, experienced professionals can earn up to $68.20 per hour. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this spectrum of pay reflects the ongoing demand for skilled dental hygienists in Olympia, which features approximately 220 professionals engaged in various healthcare roles.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54.13 | $433.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60.81 | $486.50 |
| Median (P50) | $62.03 | $496.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62.68 | $501.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.20 | $545.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Olympia
Based on $62.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.03/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Olympia, WA can expect to earn approximately $129,022 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,436. With a cost-of-living index of 103.67 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Olympia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Olympia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,481.20 | $10,752 | $129,022 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,488.72 | $6,451 | $77,413 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $992.48 | $4,301 | $51,609 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Olympia) | $62.03 |
| 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 Olympia, WA earn a median of $129,024 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.33% higher than the national median of $102,946.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.03/hr = $77,413/year (purchasing power: $74,673).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $129,022/year (purchasing power: $124,455).
CoL index: 103.67 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$47.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$59.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.03/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Olympia (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $47.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.81/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $49.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $58.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $59.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Olympia grew 23.8% from $47.74/hr (2020) to $59.11/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $65.09/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 Olympia 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 Olympia
Looking deeper into the earning dynamics for dental hygienists in Olympia reveals substantial opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers. A part-time employee, averaging 24 hours a week at the hourly rate, could take home around $77,165 annually if consistently employed—an attractive figure compared to full-time positions. For those choosing per diem roles, or working for agencies, the reality can shift considerably; while typical rates range from $40-$60, high-cost living cities may elevate pay to between $60 and $85. The variation in hourly rates across different employer types—ranging from solo practices to large Dental Service Organizations—highlights the importance of negotiation skills. Some hygienists may accept slightly lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as healthcare, reflecting personal priorities and lifestyle choices. In the competitive job market of Olympia, it remains essential for dental hygienists to articulate their value and research employer standards to strike the best balance between hourly pay and benefits.
More salary data for Olympia, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Olympia. 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