Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Homewood, AL: $29.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Homewood, AL runs $29.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,335 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Homewood's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,801 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Homewood, Alabama offers a competitive dental hygienist hourly pay at approximately $29.49, which falls significantly below the national average of $49.49 per hour. This median rate presents both opportunities and challenges for those in the profession, especially for part-time or per-diem dental hygienists. For example, a hygienist working three days a week could earn around $23,000 annually, while full-time roles yield higher income. The hourly pay for dental hygienists in Homewood ranges from $24.30 for entry-level positions to around $37.21 for more seasoned professionals, providing a pathway for growth within various clinical settings, including general dentistry operatories, pediatric practices, and public health clinics. This data represents projections for 2026 based on 2025 BLS estimates, reflecting the evolving job market.
About the Homewood Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($60,310) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.30 | $194.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.12 | $208.96 |
| Median (P50) | $29.49 | $235.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.59 | $260.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.21 | $297.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Homewood
Based on $29.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.49/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Homewood, AL can expect to earn approximately $61,335 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,386. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Homewood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Homewood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,179.53 | $5,111 | $61,335 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $707.72 | $3,067 | $36,801 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $471.81 | $2,045 | $24,534 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Homewood) | $29.49 |
| 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 Homewood, AL earn a median of $61,335 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.42% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.40% below the Alabama state average of $63,494.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.49/hr = $36,801/year (purchasing power: $41,867).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,335/year (purchasing power: $69,779).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$23.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.49/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+30.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Homewood (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $23.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.94/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Homewood grew 18.5% from $23.71/hr (2020) to $28.10/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.94/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 Homewood 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 Homewood
Considering part-time work, a dental hygienist committed to a 24-hour week could earn a decent income, totaling about $65,000 annually compared to full-time counterparts who would draw closer to $61,335. Per diem opportunities may allow hygienists to command higher wages, often ranging from $40 to $60 per hour, especially when working with independent agencies. Employment types significantly influence compensation; solo practices may offer lower pay compared to large DSO chains like Heartland or Aspen, which often provide health benefits in exchange for lower hourly rates. Dental hygienists in Homewood should weigh the trade-offs between hourly rates and benefits carefully, particularly in a potentially fluctuating job market. Negotiating effectively becomes crucial, as understanding local pay structures and demonstrating one’s skill set not only helps establish fair compensation but can also result in more stability in employment contracts.
More salary data for Homewood, AL:
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 Homewood. 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 Homewood 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