Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Lewiston, ME: $48.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Lewiston, ME runs $48.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,006 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Lewiston's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,598 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental hygienists in Lewiston, Maine, earn a median hourly pay of $48.56, just slightly below the national median of $49.49. This competitive hourly rate presents a solid opportunity for both full-time and part-time dental hygienists, as those working three days a week can enjoy flexible schedules while still earning a respectable income. For part-time positions, the hourly wages range from $37.64 for entry-level hygienists to $60.26 for those at the higher end of the pay scale, reflecting differing levels of experience and the demands of varied clinical settings. These clinical environments can include general dentistry operatories, pediatric offices, periodontal specialty suites, as well as public health clinics and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), where hourly rates may vary lower or higher based on location and practice type.
About the Lewiston Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($88,832) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37.64 | $301.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.21 | $329.68 |
| Median (P50) | $48.56 | $388.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.93 | $423.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.26 | $482.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lewiston
Based on $48.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.56/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lewiston, ME can expect to earn approximately $100,996 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,267. With a cost-of-living index of 99.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lewiston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lewiston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,942.23 | $8,416 | $100,996 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,165.34 | $5,050 | $60,598 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $776.89 | $3,367 | $40,398 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Lewiston) | $48.56 |
| 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 Lewiston, ME earn a median of $101,006 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.88% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.50% below the Maine state average of $102,544.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.56/hr = $60,598/year (purchasing power: $60,841).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,996/year (purchasing power: $101,402).
CoL index: 99.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$31.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.56/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+62.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lewiston (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $31.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Lewiston grew 47.3% from $31.42/hr (2020) to $46.27/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.95/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 Lewiston 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 Lewiston
For those considering part-time roles, a dental hygienist working 24 hours per week can expect to take home around $53,571 annually, demonstrating that even part-time work can yield significant earnings. In contrast, per-diem or locum dental hygienists often find themselves earning between $40 to $60 per hour, especially when contracted through agencies or while providing temporary coverage. In higher-cost-of-living areas, those rates might climb significantly. In Lewiston, dental hygienists employed by solo practices may receive lower hourly wages compared to those in multi-doctor practices or DSOs, which can afford to offer more competitive pay due to their larger patient bases. As practitioners navigate their pay negotiations, they should weigh benefits against hourly rates—some prefer the security of health benefits over earning higher pay without such perks. Negotiation for hourly pay should be strategically approached, emphasizing the unique skills and flexibility one brings to different practice settings.
More salary data for Lewiston, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Lewiston in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Lewiston?
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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 Lewiston. 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 Lewiston 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