Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Pinehurst, NC: $48.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Pinehurst, NC runs $48.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,637 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Pinehurst's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.3, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,388 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pinehurst, North Carolina, dental hygienists earn a median hourly rate of $48.39, which is slightly below the national median of $49.49. For those working part-time, perhaps just three days a week, the earnings can be substantial, especially when working in various settings like general dentistry offices or pediatric exam rooms. The hourly pay ranges significantly, from $32.81 for entry-level positions to $50.69 for the highest earners. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, illustrates how competitive the dental hygienist hourly pay in Pinehurst can be, making it an attractive field for both per diem workers and those looking for stable part-time roles.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.81 | $262.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.83 | $334.63 |
| Median (P50) | $48.39 | $387.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.25 | $393.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.69 | $405.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pinehurst
Based on $48.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.39/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pinehurst, NC can expect to earn approximately $100,647 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,065. With a cost-of-living index of 88.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pinehurst.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pinehurst
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,935.51 | $8,387 | $100,647 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,161.31 | $5,032 | $60,388 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $774.21 | $3,355 | $40,259 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Pinehurst) | $48.39 |
| 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 Pinehurst, NC earn a median of $100,637 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.24% lower than the national median of $102,946.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.39/hr = $60,388/year (purchasing power: $68,362).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,647/year (purchasing power: $113,936).
CoL index: 88.336 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$31.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.39/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+58.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Pinehurst (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $31.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Pinehurst grew 44.2% from $31.97/hr (2020) to $46.11/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.78/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 Pinehurst 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 Pinehurst
Analyzing the financial landscape for part-time dental hygienists in Pinehurst reveals intriguing implications for their annual earnings. A hygienist working 24 hours a week could expect to bring home approximately $53,200 annually, creating a solid income for those balancing other commitments. For per diem dental hygienists, the pay can fluctuate, especially in dense metropolitan areas where agencies might offer rates between $40-$60 per hour. In Pinehurst, the hourly pay tends to reflect the type of employer, whether it’s a solo practice or a larger Dental Service Organization, with some offices offering benefits that might justify lower hourly wages. It's wise for dental hygienists to strategize when considering positions; higher hourly rates might not include benefits, while lower rates could come with health insurance and retirement plans, adding value to the overall compensation. Negotiating for pay can be beneficial, and understanding the market can empower professionals to advocate for appropriate remuneration in this evolving field.
More salary data for Pinehurst, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Pinehurst. 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