Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Mentor, OH: $40.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Mentor, OH runs $40.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,145 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Mentor's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,089 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mentor, Ohio, the dental hygienist hourly pay stands at a median of $40.94, reflecting a significant gap when compared to the national median of $49.49. This discrepancy means that dental hygienists working part-time, such as those employed three days a week, may take home a more modest paycheck than their peers in higher-paying regions. The hourly pay range begins at around $33.28 for entry-level positions and reaches up to $52.56 for the most experienced hygienists. Given that many dental hygienists serve in diverse settings— from general dentistry operatories to pediatric specialty suites—these projections underscore a pivotal aspect of the profession: good entry-level pay can attract a broader talent pool, yet top earners can achieve substantial compensation based on their skills and experience.
About the Mentor 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) | $33.28 | $266.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.91 | $287.28 |
| Median (P50) | $40.94 | $327.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.37 | $346.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.56 | $420.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mentor
Based on $40.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.94/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mentor, OH can expect to earn approximately $85,149 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,125. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Mentor.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mentor
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,637.48 | $7,096 | $85,149 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $982.49 | $4,257 | $51,089 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $654.99 | $2,838 | $34,060 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Mentor) | $40.94 |
| 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 Mentor, OH earn a median of $85,145 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.29% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.10% below the Ohio state average of $88,785.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.94/hr = $51,089/year (purchasing power: $56,328).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,149/year (purchasing power: $93,880).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$32.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.94/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+34.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Mentor (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $32.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Mentor grew 21.9% from $32.01/hr (2020) to $39.01/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.96/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 Mentor 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 Mentor
For those considering a part-time role, a dental hygienist working 24 hours a week may earn a notable income compared to a full-time counterpart, especially when factoring in the $40.94 per hour rate. The per diem dental hygienist pay in Mentor reflects a similar fluidity, as temp agencies generally offer rates ranging from $40 to $60 per hour, with the most lucrative opportunities often found in high-cost living areas like San Francisco or New York City, where wages can soar to $60-$85 per hour. In Mentor, variations in hourly rates can be attributed to employer type, whether one is working in a solo practice, a multi-doctor group, or with a larger Dental Service Organization like Heartland or Aspen. Dental hygienists often weigh the benefits of higher hourly wages lacking benefits versus lower hourly pay that includes health insurance. For effective negotiation, hygiene professionals should be aware of local salary trends and may consider highlighting their certifications or flexibility in schedules to enhance their bargaining power with potential employers in Mentor, OH.
More salary data for Mentor, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Mentor in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Mentor?
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Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Mentor?
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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 Mentor. 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 Mentor 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