Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Sioux City, IA: $42.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Sioux City, IA runs $42.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,066 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Sioux City's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,844 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux City, Iowa, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $42.34, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.49. This hourly rate is indicative of the local market conditions and provides a solid income for those working part-time, such as hygienists who may work three days a week, or 24 hours, splitting their time across various settings like general dentistry offices, pediatric practices, and public health clinics. For per-diem workers, the flexibility of the role can be appealing, although entry-level hygienists may earn around $40.01 per hour, and experienced professionals can reach the higher end of the scale with rates up to $48.07. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, underscore the range of earning opportunities available to dental hygienists within this specific region.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.01 | $320.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.94 | $327.50 |
| Median (P50) | $42.34 | $338.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.30 | $378.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.07 | $384.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sioux City
Based on $42.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.34/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sioux City, IA can expect to earn approximately $88,074 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,812. With a cost-of-living index of 86.45 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sioux City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sioux City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,693.73 | $7,340 | $88,074 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,016.24 | $4,404 | $52,844 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $677.49 | $2,936 | $35,230 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Sioux City) | $42.34 |
| 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 Sioux City, IA earn a median of $88,066 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.45% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.90% above the Iowa state average of $87,280.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.34/hr = $52,844/year (purchasing power: $61,124).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,074/year (purchasing power: $101,874).
CoL index: 86.454 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$36.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.34/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+23.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Sioux City (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $36.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Sioux City grew 11.9% from $36.05/hr (2020) to $40.35/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.44/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 Sioux 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 Sioux City
Considering the financial implications of part-time work, a dental hygienist in Sioux City making $42.34 an hour and working three days each week could expect an annual income significantly less than a full-time counterpart. Specifically, working 24 hours a week would yield around $52,648 annually. Meanwhile, per-diem dental hygienists can often find positions through temp agencies, where pay can fluctuate between $40-$60 per hour, although demand and geographical cost of living can drive rates even higher in more expensive cities. In Sioux City, the hourly rates may vary across different employer types; solo practices might offer distinct wage structures compared to larger Dental Service Organizations, which often provide additional benefits. Many hygienists face a trade-off between accepting lower hourly rates for comprehensive health benefits or pursuing higher pay without these perks. Potential candidates should hone their negotiation skills by understanding local pay ranges and emphasizing skills that make them a valuable addition to a practice, especially as market demand continues to evolve.
More salary data for Sioux City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Sioux City in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Sioux City?
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Career Resources
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 Sioux 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