Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Wildwood, FL: $46.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Wildwood, FL runs $46.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,489 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Wildwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 85.4, 15% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.88 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,502 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wildwood, Florida, the projected median hourly pay for dental hygienists in 2026 is set at $46.88, which is slightly below the national median of $49.49. This hourly rate allows dental hygienists to effectively manage their earnings whether they work part-time, such as three days a week, or engage in per diem opportunities across various settings. These professionals can find employment in a range of environments including general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and public health mobile clinics. For entry-level hygienists, the hourly range starts at approximately $37.38, while more experienced practitioners can earn up to $50.91, showcasing a competitive landscape driven by the need for quality dental care in the region. These figures are informed by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.38 | $299.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.22 | $321.79 |
| Median (P50) | $46.88 | $375.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.04 | $384.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.91 | $407.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wildwood
Based on $46.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.88/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wildwood, FL can expect to earn approximately $97,504 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,252. With a cost-of-living index of 85.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wildwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wildwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,875.07 | $8,125 | $97,504 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,125.04 | $4,875 | $58,502 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $750.03 | $3,250 | $39,001 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Wildwood) | $46.88 |
| 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 Wildwood, FL earn a median of $97,489 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.30% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.20% above the Florida state average of $96,333.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.88/hr = $58,502/year (purchasing power: $68,484).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,504/year (purchasing power: $114,141).
CoL index: 85.424 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$35.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.88/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Wildwood (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $35.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Wildwood grew 27.3% from $35.10/hr (2020) to $44.67/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.19/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 Wildwood 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 Wildwood
When considering part-time roles, a dental hygienist working 24 hours per week could expect to bring home around $58,610 annually. This is a stark contrast to full-time earnings and highlights the flexibility that hourly employment can offer. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Wildwood may also vary widely, with professionals earning anywhere from $40 to $60 per hour depending on demand and employer type. Different settings influence wage structures; for example, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often provide competitive pay alongside benefits, while solo practices may offer less but allow for greater flexibility. Many RDHs prioritize health insurance and other benefits, accepting slightly lower hourly rates in return for stability, which creates a unique negotiation dynamic. It's advisable for dental hygienists in Wildwood to evaluate their specific career goals and the trade-offs linked to their hourly positions, paving the way for informed negotiations with potential employers.
More salary data for Wildwood, FL:
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 Wildwood. 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, 2-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