Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Akron, OH: $41.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Akron, OH runs $41.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $87,069 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Akron's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,242 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Akron, Ohio, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $41.86 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $49.49, indicating the regional variations in compensation for dental hygienists across the country. For part-time practitioners, often working three days a week, this translates to a manageable income while allowing for a flexible schedule. Many dental hygienists find employment in settings such as general dentistry offices, periodontal specialty suites, and public health clinics, where hourly rates can range from $31.80 for entry-level positions to $48.46 for the highest earners. Such data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections, providing insights on expected earnings for those working in this essential healthcare profession.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.80 | $254.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.86 | $310.87 |
| Median (P50) | $41.86 | $334.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.49 | $379.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.46 | $387.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Akron
Based on $41.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.86/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Akron, OH can expect to earn approximately $87,070 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,233. With a cost-of-living index of 93.37 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Akron.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Akron
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,674.42 | $7,256 | $87,070 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,004.65 | $4,353 | $52,242 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $669.77 | $2,902 | $34,828 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Akron) | $41.86 |
| 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 Akron, OH earn a median of $87,069 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.42% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.90% below the Ohio state average of $88,755.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.86/hr = $52,242/year (purchasing power: $55,952).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $87,070/year (purchasing power: $93,253).
CoL index: 93.37 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$34.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.86/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+25.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Akron (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $34.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Akron grew 14.1% from $34.96/hr (2020) to $39.89/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.93/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 Akron 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 Akron
Focusing on part-time earning potential, a dental hygienist in Akron working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) would see a yearly income of around $52,173. In contrast, full-time positions often provide more consistent income but might lack the flexibility some prefer. Additionally, per diem dental hygienist pay in Akron can fluctuate; many agencies offer rates between $40 to $60 per hour, though higher-cost living areas tend to drive those rates up significantly. Hourly wages can also differ based on the type of employer—solo dental practices may offer lower pay compared to Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) or specialty offices, which may provide benefits that justify a lower hourly rate. Dental hygienists should consider this trade-off when evaluating job offers and negotiating pay. Tips for effective negotiation include understanding the local market rates and being prepared to discuss how their experience and skills can add value to the practice in Akron, OH.
More salary data for Akron, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 Akron. 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