Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Burlington, IA: $40.31 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Burlington, IA runs $40.31 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $83,845 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.59 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,304 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, Iowa, dental hygienists are projected to earn about $40.31 per hour in 2026. This hourly wage is significantly lower than the national median of $49.49 per hour, indicating that local rates may be influenced by the overall cost of living, which is below the national average. For those working part-time, such as those on a 3-day workweek, this pay translates to a stable income, though with reduced hours, they may miss out on benefits typically provided to full-time employees. Entry-level dental hygienists can expect to earn around $32.47 per hour, while more experienced professionals in high-demand settings may command rates as high as $48.92 per hour. Hourly pay estimates for these professionals in Burlington typically stem from annual salary data, reflecting the diverse range of work environments, from private practices to public health mobile clinics.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($85,185) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.47 | $259.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.05 | $280.40 |
| Median (P50) | $40.31 | $322.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.54 | $348.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.92 | $391.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $40.31/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.31/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, IA can expect to earn approximately $83,840 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,369. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,612.30 | $6,987 | $83,840 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $967.38 | $4,192 | $50,304 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $644.92 | $2,795 | $33,536 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Burlington) | $40.31 |
| 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 Burlington, IA earn a median of $83,845 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.55% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.00% below the Iowa state average of $87,339.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.31/hr = $50,304/year (purchasing power: $55,646).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $83,840/year (purchasing power: $92,743).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$34.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.31/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+24.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Burlington (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $34.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.70/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.31/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Burlington grew 13.0% from $34.00/hr (2020) to $38.41/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.30/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
When considering long-term earning potential, part-time dental hygienists in Burlington working 24 hours a week take home a smaller paycheck compared to full-time counterparts, yet they maintain a flexible work schedule. Per diem dental hygienists may find supplemental income opportunities in various settings; average rates range from $40 to $60 per hour and can even exceed those figures in higher-cost cities. The type of employer significantly influences hourly rates in Burlington, with solo practices often offering less than multi-doctor group practices or Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland or Aspen Dental, which might provide better compensation alongside benefits like health insurance. Additionally, negotiation strategies can play a critical role in pay decisions; professionals interested in maximizing their income should gauge local market rates while weighing the benefits of job stability and health insurance against potentially higher hourly rates without benefits.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Burlington in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Burlington?
Are dental hygienists in Burlington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Burlington?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Burlington?
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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 Burlington. 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 Burlington 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