Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Missoula, MT: $49.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Missoula, MT runs $49.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,894 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Missoula's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,737 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Missoula, Montana, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to be $49.47 for the year 2026, demonstrating a slight difference from the national median hourly rate of $49.49. For those working part-time—say, three days a week—this rate provides a reliable income for dental hygienists in a variety of settings, including general dentistry offices, periodontal specialty suites, and mobile health clinics. Entry-level positions can expect to earn approximately $40.70 per hour, while top earners may earn up to $51.84 per hour, allowing flexibility for both long-term roles and per-diem work. This official BLS hourly data reflects the financial landscape that many dental hygienists navigate as they consider employment opportunities within the diverse healthcare environments in Missoula.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.70 | $325.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.11 | $384.92 |
| Median (P50) | $49.47 | $395.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.08 | $400.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.84 | $414.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Missoula
Based on $49.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.47/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Missoula, MT can expect to earn approximately $102,895 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,362. With a cost-of-living index of 96.44 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Missoula.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Missoula
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,978.75 | $8,575 | $102,895 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,187.25 | $5,145 | $61,737 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $791.50 | $3,430 | $41,158 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Missoula) | $49.47 |
| 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 Missoula, MT earn a median of $102,894 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.05% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.20% below the Montana state average of $103,100.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.47/hr = $61,737/year (purchasing power: $64,013).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,895/year (purchasing power: $106,688).
CoL index: 96.445 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$38.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.47/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+33.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Missoula (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $38.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.91/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Missoula grew 21.6% from $38.78/hr (2020) to $47.14/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.91/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 Missoula 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 Missoula
Analyzing the part-time earning potential, a dental hygienist working a typical 24-hour week could anticipate an annual income around $61,569. This contrasts with full-time earnings, providing insight into how these professionals balance work and life. The per-diem dental hygienist pay in Missoula can vary greatly; while local temp agencies may offer between $40 and $60 per hour, those in high-cost living areas like San Francisco or New York might command even higher rates. Hourly rates also fluctuate based on the type of practice, with solo dental offices often providing less than group practices or DSOs, which may include additional benefits such as health insurance. Negotiating for better hourly rates can be crucial, especially in a city like Missoula where competition exists among various practice types, from pediatric specialty offices to public health clinics. Understanding the trade-offs of lower hourly pay for benefits versus higher pay without them can be essential in making informed career choices as a dental hygienist in MT.
More salary data for Missoula, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Missoula in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Missoula?
Are dental hygienists in Missoula paid hourly or salary?
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Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Missoula?
Related Pages
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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 Missoula. 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