Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Cedar Falls, IA: $42.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Cedar Falls, IA runs $42.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,421 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Cedar Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,054 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Falls, Iowa, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $42.51, which falls short of the national median of $49.49. This disparity reflects the unique market conditions in Cedar Falls, where healthcare costs and compensation levels can vary considerably from larger urban areas. For those interested in part-time positions, working three days a week typically allows hygienists to earn a respectable income while maintaining flexibility. The hourly wage can range from $32.03 for entry-level positions to $51.61 for experienced practitioners, offering a pathway to substantial earnings based on skill and experience. Typical employment settings include general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and periodontal specialty suites, as well as public health clinics. These environments may also provide per diem opportunities that cater to dental hygienists looking to supplement their income or work on a flexible schedule.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($85,185) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.03 | $256.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.02 | $304.16 |
| Median (P50) | $42.51 | $340.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.74 | $365.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.61 | $412.88 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Falls
Based on $42.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.51/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Falls, IA can expect to earn approximately $88,423 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,013. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,700.45 | $7,369 | $88,423 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,020.27 | $4,421 | $53,054 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $680.18 | $2,947 | $35,369 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Cedar Falls) | $42.51 |
| 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 Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $88,421 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.11% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.30% above the Iowa state average of $87,287.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.51/hr = $53,054/year (purchasing power: $58,688).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,423/year (purchasing power: $97,813).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$35.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.51/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+27.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Cedar Falls (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $35.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Cedar Falls grew 15.5% from $35.08/hr (2020) to $40.51/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.61/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 Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls
The potential earnings for part-time dental hygienists in Cedar Falls can vary dramatically compared to full-time workers. For instance, a hygienist working 24 hours a week could potentially bring home about $53,134 annually. Per-diem and locum positions, though less common, also afford the opportunity for higher pay—with some temp agencies in larger cities paying $40-60 per hour. In Cedar Falls, various employment types influence wage rates. For example, solo practices may offer different pay than multi-doctor group practices or Dental Service Organizations, leading to diverse compensation packages. Hygienists often navigate the trade-offs between higher hourly rates found in positions without benefits and the stability that comes from full-time roles with health insurance. Practical negotiation tips for Cedar Falls workers include researching local salary norms and articulating the value of certifications, as well as leveraging connections within local dental associations, such as ADHA or ADA, for insights on salary expectations.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Cedar Falls in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Cedar Falls?
Are dental hygienists in Cedar Falls paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Cedar Falls?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Cedar Falls?
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Career Resources
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 Cedar Falls. 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 Cedar Falls 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