Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Madison, WI: $50.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Madison, WI runs $50.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $105,297 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.03 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $63,178 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, the projected median dental hygienist hourly pay is $50.62, surpassing the national median of $49.49. This competitive rate is advantageous for both part-time workers and per diem dental hygienists, especially those who may work in various environments such as general dentistry operatories, periodontal specialty suites, or public health mobile clinics. The hourly pay spectrum in Madison ranges from $42.21 for entry-level hygienists to $53.19 for those in the highest earning percentile, providing a broad appeal for individuals seeking flexible work arrangements. With many dental hygienists opting to work three days a week or picking up shifts as needed, the hourly compensation reflects the value and demand of the position in the region, as indicated by official BLS hourly data.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42.21 | $337.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47.64 | $381.14 |
| Median (P50) | $50.62 | $404.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.18 | $409.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.19 | $425.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison
Based on $50.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.62/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, WI can expect to earn approximately $105,296 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,748. With a cost-of-living index of 97.29 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,024.92 | $8,775 | $105,296 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,214.95 | $5,265 | $63,178 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $809.97 | $3,510 | $42,118 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Madison) | $50.62 |
| 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 Madison, WI earn a median of $105,297 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.28% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 4.60% above the Wisconsin state average of $100,666.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.62/hr = $63,178/year (purchasing power: $64,939).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $105,296/year (purchasing power: $108,232).
CoL index: 97.287 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$35.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.62/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+48.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Madison (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $35.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Madison grew 35.1% from $35.70/hr (2020) to $48.24/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $53.12/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 Madison 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 Madison
Understanding the financial landscape of a dental hygienist in Madison involves examining potential pay structures across different employment scenarios. A part-time hygienist working three days a week, totaling approximately 24 hours, could earn a significant income while enjoying work-life balance. For example, while full-time positions typically yield higher annual earnings, part-time professionals can still enjoy decent financial returns. In contrast, per diem dental hygienist pay in Madison can range widely, with temporary positions offering rates between $40 to $60 per hour, depending largely on the private practice or dental service organization (DSO). Salary variability also exists among employer types; solo practices may offer different compensation compared to multi-doctor practices or specialized pediatric and periodontal offices. Furthermore, while some dental hygienists may choose to accept lower hourly rates for the inclusion of health benefits, others prioritize higher rates without benefits. Negotiation for better pay should focus on demonstrating versatility, emphasizing relevant experience, and understanding the local market trends in Madison, WI.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Madison. 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