Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Scranton, PA: $35.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Scranton, PA runs $35.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,224 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Scranton's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,528 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Dental hygienists in Scranton, PA, earn a median hourly pay of $35.68, which provides a perspective on their economic standing in comparison to the national median hourly rate of $49.49. This discrepancy may influence those considering part-time roles or per-diem work arrangements, as a hygienist working three days a week can earn a stable income without committing to full-time hours. The hourly pay for dental hygienists in Scranton ranges significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $18.51 and experienced professionals reaching up to $39.71 per hour. These figures are based on the official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates for 2026 and shed light on the earning potential across various settings, such as general dentistry offices, periodontal clinics, and public health facilities.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.51 | $148.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.37 | $226.92 |
| Median (P50) | $35.68 | $285.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.93 | $287.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.71 | $317.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Scranton
Based on $35.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.68/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Scranton, PA can expect to earn approximately $74,214 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,816. With a cost-of-living index of 93.56 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Scranton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Scranton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,427.18 | $6,184 | $74,214 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $856.31 | $3,711 | $44,528 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $570.87 | $2,474 | $29,685 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Scranton) | $35.68 |
| 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 Scranton, PA earn a median of $74,224 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.90% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 12.00% below the Pennsylvania state average of $84,346.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.68/hr = $44,528/year (purchasing power: $47,595).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,214/year (purchasing power: $79,325).
CoL index: 93.556 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$27.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.68/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+37.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Scranton (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $27.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.44/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Scranton grew 24.4% from $27.34/hr (2020) to $34.00/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.44/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 Scranton 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 Scranton
Examining the economic landscape for dental hygienists reveals various opportunities and challenges. A dental hygienist working part-time, for instance, with a schedule of 24 hours a week can expect to take home roughly $44,259 annually, which can significantly differ from full-time earnings. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Scranton tends to be competitive, often falling within rates that reflect the demand for skilled professionals. While local dental practices may offer lower hourly wages, ranging from the mid-$30s, larger organizations or DSOs like Heartland and Aspen typically provide higher compensation, albeit possibly without benefits. The trade-off between hourly pay and benefits can lead some hygienists to accept lower pay for job security and health coverage options. For those looking to negotiate hourly rates, being informed about market averages and demonstrating specialized skills can be advantageous in conversations with potential employers across Scranton's diverse dental settings.
More salary data for Scranton, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Scranton in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Scranton?
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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 Scranton. 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