Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Lima, OH: $39.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Lima, OH runs $39.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,409 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Lima's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.7, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,439 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lima, OH, dental hygienists earn a median hourly rate of $39.61, which falls below the national median of $49.49. This calculation indicates that for part-time professionals working three days a week, the pay can amount to approximately $1,268 annually when working 24 hours over those days. Many dental hygienists in Lima find roles in diverse settings, from general dentistry operatories to pediatric practices and public health clinics. This occupational variety allows for an hourly wage range from $33.41 for entry-level positions to $49.78 for experienced professionals. The figures mentioned are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, providing insight into the current and future earnings potential for dental hygienists in the area.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33.41 | $267.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.84 | $310.71 |
| Median (P50) | $39.61 | $316.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.15 | $369.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.78 | $398.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lima
Based on $39.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.61/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lima, OH can expect to earn approximately $82,399 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,538. With a cost-of-living index of 89.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lima.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lima
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,584.59 | $6,867 | $82,399 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $950.76 | $4,120 | $49,439 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $633.84 | $2,747 | $32,960 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Lima) | $39.61 |
| 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 Lima, OH earn a median of $82,409 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.95% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 7.10% below the Ohio state average of $88,708.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.61/hr = $49,439/year (purchasing power: $55,135).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,399/year (purchasing power: $91,892).
CoL index: 89.669 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$16.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.61/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+159.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lima (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $16.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $34.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Lima grew 135.6% from $16.02/hr (2020) to $37.75/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.57/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 Lima 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 Lima
The earning potential for part-time dental hygienists in Lima becomes more pronounced when considering hours worked. For example, a hygienist opting for a 24-hour work week could bring home around $39,681 annually, compared to those in full-time positions earning significantly higher. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Lima often fluctuates, with rates typically varying based on the practice type. In metropolitan areas, agency and locum tenens positions can fetch dental hygienists between $40 and $60 per hour, with high-cost living markets driving rates even higher. Local pay disparities may arise from the type of dental practice—solo practitioners may not offer the same benefits as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) that often provide comprehensive health plans but with somewhat lower hourly rates. Considerations regarding job benefits versus hourly pay should remain a discussion point during negotiations, especially in Lima’s evolving job market for dental hygienists.
More salary data for Lima, OH:
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 Lima. 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