Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Burlington, NC: $49.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Burlington, NC runs $49.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,012 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,200 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, North Carolina, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $49.04, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $49.49. This rate provides ample opportunities for part-time or per-diem workers, commonly found in diverse settings such as general dentistry offices, specialty suites, pediatric clinics, and public health facilities. The hourly wage for dental hygienists in Burlington varies widely, typically ranging from $40.41 for entry-level positions at the 10th percentile to $51.86 for experienced practitioners at the 90th percentile. Such disparities reflect differences in workplace settings, responsibilities, and practitioner experience, according to data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.41 | $323.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.94 | $383.49 |
| Median (P50) | $49.04 | $392.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.50 | $412.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.86 | $414.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $49.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.04/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, NC can expect to earn approximately $102,000 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,846. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,961.54 | $8,500 | $102,000 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,176.92 | $5,100 | $61,200 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $784.62 | $3,400 | $40,800 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Burlington) | $49.04 |
| 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 Burlington, NC earn a median of $102,012 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.91% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.40% above the North Carolina state average of $100,604.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.04/hr = $61,200/year (purchasing power: $65,668).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,000/year (purchasing power: $109,447).
CoL index: 93.196 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$37.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.04/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+36.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Burlington (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $37.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Burlington grew 23.6% from $37.80/hr (2020) to $46.73/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.46/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
For a dental hygienist working part-time, such as three days a week, the annual earnings can be significant, totaling around $61,158 based on a 24-hour workweek. In contrast, full-time dental hygienists typically enjoy more stable financial benefits. Per diem roles often saw compensation between $40 to $60 per hour depending on demand and location. Comparatively, dental hygienists in Burlington may find varying rates based on employer types; multi-doctor practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) might offer more competitive pay alongside potential benefits, while pediatric or public health clinics may provide lower hourly rates. When negotiating their hourly rates, hygienists should consider trade-offs, such as accepting lower pay for positions that provide health insurance and job security versus seeking higher hourly wages with no additional benefits. Being prepared to discuss these factors can empower dental professionals in Burlington, NC, to make informed career decisions.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Burlington. 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