Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Lakewood, OH: $42.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Lakewood, OH runs $42.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,300 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Lakewood's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,975 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lakewood, Ohio, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $42.45, which falls significantly below the national median of $49.49. This rate can impact those looking for part-time roles, such as a 3-day workweek, as they can expect to take home about $32,025 annually for 24 hours of work per week. Per-diem dental hygienists can benefit from flexible scheduling in settings like general dentistry operatories and public health clinics, with hourly pay ranging from $31.20 to $56.10. Despite the lower overall hourly rate compared to the national average, this range provides opportunities for both entry-level practitioners and experienced professionals to find work that suits their schedule and financial needs.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($86,075) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.20 | $249.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.95 | $279.56 |
| Median (P50) | $42.45 | $339.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.45 | $371.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.10 | $448.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lakewood
Based on $42.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.45/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lakewood, OH can expect to earn approximately $88,292 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,938. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lakewood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lakewood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,697.93 | $7,358 | $88,292 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,018.76 | $4,415 | $52,975 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $679.17 | $2,943 | $35,317 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Lakewood) | $42.45 |
| 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 Lakewood, OH earn a median of $88,300 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.23% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.50% below the Ohio state average of $88,743.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.45/hr = $52,975/year (purchasing power: $58,407).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,292/year (purchasing power: $97,345).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$33.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.45/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+34.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lakewood (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $33.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Lakewood grew 21.8% from $33.20/hr (2020) to $40.45/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.55/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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood
Working part-time can sometimes mean sacrificing income for benefits not typically offered in per-diem roles, so dental hygienists must weigh their options. An RDH in Lakewood could earn as much as $63,306 working 24 hours a week, which is significantly less than those who opt for full-time positions. Dental hygienist compensation also varies by employer type; solo dental practices may offer lower rates while larger organizations like Dental Service Organizations and specialty offices often have structured pay scales that reward experience. Those seeking employment in Lakewood should also consider ways to negotiate their hourly rate, perhaps trading higher pay for benefits like health insurance and retirement plans. Understanding these trade-offs can help professionals make informed career choices as they navigate their work environment in the dental hygiene field.
More salary data for Lakewood, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Lakewood in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Lakewood?
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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 Lakewood. 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 Lakewood 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