Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Wellington, FL: $45.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Wellington, FL runs $45.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $94,204 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Wellington's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $44.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,525 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the dental hygienist hourly pay in Wellington, Florida, is projected to be $45.29, falling short of the national median hourly rate of $49.49. This figure presents a solid foundation for those seeking both part-time schedules and per-diem opportunities within various dental settings, such as general dentistry offices, pediatric clinics, and public health mobile units. For entry-level dental hygienists, hourly earnings start at approximately $35.59, while experienced professionals can command up to $59.79. Given the cost of living in Wellington, which is slightly above the national average, these figures highlight the potential for stable income while also accommodating flexible work arrangements that are increasingly appealing in today’s job market.
About the Wellington Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($83,434) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.59 | $284.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.04 | $312.30 |
| Median (P50) | $45.29 | $362.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.35 | $410.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.79 | $478.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wellington
Based on $45.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.29/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wellington, FL can expect to earn approximately $94,208 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,351. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Wellington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wellington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,811.68 | $7,851 | $94,208 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,087.01 | $4,710 | $56,525 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $724.67 | $3,140 | $37,683 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Wellington) | $45.29 |
| 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 Wellington, FL earn a median of $94,204 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.49% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.30% below the Florida state average of $96,421.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.29/hr = $56,525/year (purchasing power: $56,076).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $94,208/year (purchasing power: $93,460).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$32.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.16/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.29/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+44.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Wellington (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $32.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.16/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.53/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Wellington grew 30.9% from $32.98/hr (2020) to $43.16/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.53/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 Wellington 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 Wellington
Part-time dental hygienists working three days a week (around 24 hours) can expect to take home approximately $53,532 annually, a considerable income, especially when adjusted for the local cost of living. Per diem and agency dental hygienists often experience varied earnings depending on their work arrangements; rates typically range from $40 to $60 an hour, with higher pay options available in competitive markets. In Wellington, hourly earnings may also vary based on practice types, where positions in Dental Service Organizations can offer different compensation structures compared to solo practices or public health clinics. Many dental hygienists must weigh the benefits of stable income and health insurance against higher hourly wages of positions that provide fewer benefits. For negotiating hourly pay, it’s wise to emphasize unique skill sets or specialization, as the local market continues to shift with creative compensation strategies such as sign-on bonuses from larger employers.
More salary data for Wellington, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Wellington in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Wellington?
Are dental hygienists in Wellington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Wellington?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Wellington?
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 Wellington. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Wellington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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