Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Salt Lake City, UT: $47.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Salt Lake City, UT runs $47.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,990 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Salt Lake City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,393 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Dental hygienists in Salt Lake City, Utah, can expect to earn an hourly median pay of $47.59, which is slightly below the national median of $49.49. This rate allows for a comfortable living, particularly for part-time workers or those in per-diem positions. For example, a hygienist working three days a week could potentially earn $1,512 weekly based on the median rate, making this profession viable for individuals seeking flexibility. The hourly range for dental hygienists in Salt Lake City varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $40.08, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $50.33 per hour. This data is based on projections from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting trends within general dentistry settings, specialty practices, and community health initiatives throughout the region.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.08 | $320.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.49 | $323.89 |
| Median (P50) | $47.59 | $380.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.63 | $389.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.33 | $402.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salt Lake City
Based on $47.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.59/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salt Lake City, UT can expect to earn approximately $98,988 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,108. With a cost-of-living index of 100.87 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salt Lake City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salt Lake City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,903.61 | $8,249 | $98,988 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,142.17 | $4,949 | $59,393 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $761.44 | $3,300 | $39,595 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Salt Lake City) | $47.59 |
| 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 Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $98,990 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.84% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 10.50% above the Utah state average of $89,584.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.59/hr = $59,393/year (purchasing power: $58,882).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,988/year (purchasing power: $98,136).
CoL index: 100.868 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$35.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.59/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+39.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Salt Lake City (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $35.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Salt Lake City grew 26.7% from $35.78/hr (2020) to $45.35/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.94/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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
While part-time dental hygienists may appear to have lower taking-home pay compared to their full-time counterparts, they actually have the potential to enjoy a more balanced lifestyle. For example, a hygienist working 24 hours a week at $47.59 per hour would take home nearly $37,000 annually, which provides a reasonable income, especially if supplemented by additional income sources. Per diem and temporary agency hygienists often see rates ranging from $40 to $60 per hour, giving them flexibility, although these opportunities are typically more volatile and competitive. In Salt Lake City, hourly rates can vary significantly depending on the type of practice; dental service organizations (DSOs) tend to offer higher wages compared to solo practices or public health clinics. The trade-off for some hygienists accepting lower hourly rates at public health clinics may include benefits like health insurance. Negotiation is key; those seeking hourly positions can advocate for better pay by leveraging local market data and highlighting their qualifications, especially in light of the growing demand for dental professionals in the area.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Salt Lake City in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Salt Lake City?
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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 Salt Lake City. 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