Dental Hygienist Pay

Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Kokomo, IN: $47.54 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Kokomo, IN runs $47.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,885 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Kokomo's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,327 per year.

$98,885
Median Annual Salary
$47.54/hr
Hourly Rate
$82,892
Entry Level (P10)
$130,147
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Dental Hygienist Hourly Rate in Kokomo, IN — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Kokomo, IN dental hygienist hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Kokomo, dental hygienists earn a median hourly rate of $47.54, which is slightly below the national median of $49.49. This hourly wage is significant for professionals seeking part-time or per-diem dental hygienist pay in Kokomo, as it allows for flexible work schedules, often appealing to those who prefer to work three days a week or take on short-term assignments. Given the hourly range of $39.86 for entry-level positions to $62.58 for seasoned professionals, there are ample opportunities within various settings, including general dentistry clinics, public health mobile units, and specialty practices. These figures are reflective of official BLS data and illustrate a stable earning environment for dental hygienists in the area.

Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$39.86$318.85
Lower Range (P25)$40.58$324.64
Median (P50)$47.54$380.30
Upper Range (P75)$49.01$392.06
Top Earners (P90)$62.58$500.61

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kokomo

Based on $47.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a dental hygienist in Kokomo earning $47.54/hr would make approximately $57,045 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $98,879 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$57,045Reduced (32 hr/wk)$76,061Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$98,879

At $47.54/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kokomo, IN can expect to earn approximately $98,879 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,045. With a cost-of-living index of 89.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kokomo.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$380.30
per 8hr shift
$1,901.51
per week
$8,240
per month
$98,879
per year

Schedule Comparison in Kokomo

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$1,901.51$8,240$98,879
Part-Time (24 hrs)$1,140.91$4,944$59,327
Per Diem (16 hrs)$760.61$3,296$39,551

Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Dental Hygienist (Kokomo)$47.54
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
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental hygienist median salary in Kokomo ($98,885) with Indiana average ($90,471) and the US national median ($102,946).Kokomo$98,885Indiana Avg$90,471+9.30%US National$102,946-3.94%

Dental Hygienists in Kokomo, IN earn a median of $98,885 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.94% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 9.30% above the Indiana state average of $90,471.

Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $47.54/hr = $59,327/year (purchasing power: $66,178).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,879/year (purchasing power: $110,297).

CoL index: 89.648 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.

2020 BLS Actual

$35.92/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$45.30/hr

2026 Current Est.

$47.54/hr

2020–2027 Growth

+38.9%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Kokomo (20202027)

2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for dental hygienists in Kokomo. Baseline $35.92/hr in 2025, projected to $49.89/hr by 2027.$33$38$43$48$53202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$35.92$37.23$38.33$40.63$41.48$45.30$47.54$49.89
YearHourly RateStatus
2020$35.92/hrActual
2021$37.23/hrActual
2022$38.33/hrActual
2023$40.63/hrActual
2024$41.48/hrActual
2025$45.30/hrActual
2026(current)$47.54/hrEstimated
2027$49.89/hrProjected

Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Kokomo grew 26.1% from $35.92/hr (2020) to $45.30/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.89/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dental hygienists can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20202025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kokomo metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Kokomo

Analyzing the compensation for part-time dental hygienists in Kokomo reveals some intriguing contrasts with full-time employment. A hygienist working three days a week, approximately 24 hours, could generate annual earnings of around $55,000, a reasonable income compared to full-time counterparts. On the per-diem front, those who work with temp agencies can expect variations in pay; while they might earn $40-60 per hour in Kokomo, major metropolitan areas may push rates much higher, sometimes reaching up to $85 per hour. The type of employer significantly influences pay scales; while Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) may offer higher hourly wages, they might come with less desirable hours and lack of benefits, prompting some dental hygienists to opt for smaller practices that provide health insurance. Professionals in Kokomo looking to negotiate their hourly rates should be aware of these dynamics, focusing on the value of benefits versus a higher hourly pay without perks when making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Kokomo in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Kokomo is $47.54/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.94% annual growth). Rates range from $39.86 at entry level (10th percentile) to $62.58 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 3.9% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Kokomo?

A part-time dental hygienist working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Kokomo earns approximately $4,944/month, or $59,327/year at the median hourly rate of $47.54. Many dental hygienists prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are dental hygienists in Kokomo paid hourly or salary?

The majority of dental hygienists in Kokomo are paid hourly at a median rate of $47.54/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $98,879/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Kokomo?

A full-time dental hygienist working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Kokomo earns approximately $98,879/year at the median hourly rate of $47.54. This is 3.9% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $130,158/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Kokomo?

Part-time and per diem dental hygienists in Kokomo sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $62.58/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

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SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

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 Kokomo. 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

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