Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Rome, GA: $41.98 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Rome, GA runs $41.98 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,310 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Rome's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,386 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Dental hygienists in Rome, Georgia, earn a median hourly rate of $41.98, which is notably less than the national median of $49.49. This difference may impact part-time workers, as those scheduling three days a week (approximately 24 hours) can expect to earn around $1,007.52 weekly, while per-diem dental hygienists, who frequently rotate between settings like general dentistry practices and public health clinics, generally earn between $36.45 and $51.82 per hour based on their experience and specialty. At the entry level, salaries start at $36.45, but experienced hygienists at the higher end can earn $51.82, reflecting the diverse employment landscape in Rome. This data is sourced from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS estimates.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.45 | $291.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.66 | $325.31 |
| Median (P50) | $41.98 | $335.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.81 | $374.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.82 | $414.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rome
Based on $41.98/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.98/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rome, GA can expect to earn approximately $87,310 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,371. With a cost-of-living index of 90.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rome.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rome
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,679.04 | $7,276 | $87,310 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,007.42 | $4,366 | $52,386 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $671.62 | $2,910 | $34,924 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Rome) | $41.98 |
| 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 Rome, GA earn a median of $87,310 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.19% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.10% above the Georgia state average of $85,514.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.98/hr = $52,386/year (purchasing power: $58,103).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,310/year (purchasing power: $96,838).
CoL index: 90.161 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$36.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.98/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+21.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Rome (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $36.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.98/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Rome grew 10.0% from $36.36/hr (2020) to $40.00/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.05/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 Rome 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 Rome
The earning potential for part-time dental hygienists significantly contrasts with that of full-time professionals, particularly when examining annual income. Working 24 hours a week translates to an approximate annual income of $52,389. Conversely, full-time dental hygienists in Rome working a typical 40-hour week would significantly increase their earnings, hence many opt for full-time roles within diverse settings. Temp agencies, often a route for per diem dental hygienists, provide compensation ranging from $40 to $60 per hour, with higher costs of living cities like San Francisco or New York City reaching upwards of $60 to $85 per hour. In Rome, pay rates may vary widely depending on the type of employer—solo practices, group practices, and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) may have different compensation tiers. While some hygienists may choose lower-paying jobs with benefits such as health insurance, others prioritize higher hourly pay without additional perks. Engaging in negotiations can be beneficial; being aware of market rates for the dental hygienist hourly pay in Rome, GA, is crucial for any professional looking to maximize their potential earnings.
More salary data for Rome, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Rome in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Rome?
Are dental hygienists in Rome paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Rome?
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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 Rome. 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