Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Woonsocket, RI: $48.08 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Woonsocket, RI runs $48.08 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,007 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Woonsocket's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,008 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Woonsocket, Rhode Island offers a favorable hourly pay for dental hygienists, with a median rate of $48.08 for 2026. This rate is slightly below the national median of $49.49, suggesting that while opportunities exist, they may come with varying compensation. For dental hygienists working part-time, such as those on a 3-day-per-week schedule, this hourly pay translates into a substantial income, allowing for flexibility while still providing competitive earnings. Moreover, per diem dental hygienist positions in Woonsocket typically range from $39.72 at the entry-level to as much as $60.84 for highly experienced professionals. Such roles are commonly found in diverse settings, including general dentistry practices, pediatric offices, and public health clinics, further underscoring the importance of adaptability in job locations and responsibilities.
About the Woonsocket Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($85,020) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39.72 | $317.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.62 | $340.93 |
| Median (P50) | $48.08 | $384.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.33 | $410.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.84 | $486.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Woonsocket
Based on $48.08/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.08/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Woonsocket, RI can expect to earn approximately $100,014 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,700. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Woonsocket.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Woonsocket
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,923.34 | $8,334 | $100,014 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,154.00 | $5,001 | $60,008 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $769.34 | $3,334 | $40,005 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Woonsocket) | $48.08 |
| 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 Woonsocket, RI earn a median of $100,007 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.85% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $103,420.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.08/hr = $60,008/year (purchasing power: $59,710).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,014/year (purchasing power: $99,516).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$35.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.08/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+42.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Woonsocket (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $35.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.21/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.05/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.08/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Woonsocket grew 29.3% from $35.43/hr (2020) to $45.82/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.46/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 Woonsocket 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 Woonsocket
For professionals exploring part-time work in Woonsocket, a dental hygienist earning $48.08 an hour, while working three days a week, would see a gross annual take-home significantly less than full-time counterparts, but still quite viable. In contrast, per diem or agency hygienists may encounter a wider range of compensation, with rates fluctuating between $40 to $60 per hour depending on market demand and practice types. In the Woonsocket area, employment at Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) may offer higher hourly rates, albeit often at the expense of benefits like health insurance. Consequently, some hygienists may opt for positions that prioritize benefits, even if they mean accepting lower pay. For those engaged in negotiations, emphasizing unique skill sets or flexibility with hours can lead to improved hourly compensation—critical in a marketplace shaped by broader trends in dental care delivery and employment structures.
More salary data for Woonsocket, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Woonsocket in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Woonsocket?
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Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Woonsocket?
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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 Woonsocket. 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 Woonsocket 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