Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Decatur, AL: $30.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Decatur, AL runs $30.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,370 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Decatur's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.2, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,622 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Alabama, the dental hygienist hourly pay reaches a median of $30.95, considerably lower than the national median of $49.49. This disparity highlights the regional differences in earnings, where those participating in part-time roles or seeking per-diem opportunities in various dental settings—such as general dentistry, periodontal practices, and pediatric offices—can expect to find varying compensation. With an hourly range stretching from $23.92 for entry-level positions to $36.52 for the highest earners, dental hygienists in Decatur can pursue flexible working arrangements while earning a competitive income relative to local benchmarks. The data presented here is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.92 | $191.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.32 | $242.54 |
| Median (P50) | $30.95 | $247.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.83 | $254.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.52 | $292.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Decatur
Based on $30.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.95/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Decatur, AL can expect to earn approximately $64,369 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,136. With a cost-of-living index of 87.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Decatur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Decatur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,237.87 | $5,364 | $64,369 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $742.72 | $3,218 | $38,622 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $495.15 | $2,146 | $25,748 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Decatur) | $30.95 |
| 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 Decatur, AL earn a median of $64,370 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.47% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.40% above the Alabama state average of $63,481.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.95/hr = $38,622/year (purchasing power: $44,285).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,369/year (purchasing power: $73,808).
CoL index: 87.212 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$24.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.95/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+33.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Decatur (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $24.32/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.13/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Decatur grew 21.3% from $24.32/hr (2020) to $29.49/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.48/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 Decatur 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 Decatur
When considering part-time work, a dental hygienist in Decatur who operates three days a week can expect to earn approximately $38,791 annually, significantly less than what full-time staff would bring in. For those drawn to per diem work, agency pay can vary widely—temp agencies tend to offer between $40-60/hour, especially in larger metropolitan areas. In Decatur, full-time employment in solo practices, group practices, or larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Aspen Dental may fit specific needs, including health benefits or predictable salaries. Those willing to trade-off lower hourly rates for these perks must weigh the options carefully, as the ongoing consolidation of dental practices has begun offering substantial sign-on bonuses. Negotiation is key: articulating one’s skill set and adaptability can enhance wage opportunities in a market where hourly pay can fluctuate based on the employer's funding structure and benefit offerings.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
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 Decatur. 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