Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Parkersburg, WV: $37.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Parkersburg, WV runs $37.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,855 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Parkersburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.1, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,715 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Parkersburg, West Virginia, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $37.43, which reflects a significant gap compared to the national hourly median of $49.49. This rate can have a considerable impact on various working arrangements within the profession, especially for part-time and per-diem workers. For those opting for a part-time schedule, working three days a week may lead to a stable income while balancing other commitments. The hourly pay range extends from approximately $30.76 for entry-level positions to about $39.49 for more experienced hygienists, highlighting the potential for growth as one gains expertise in diverse environments such as general dentistry offices, specialty suites, and public health settings. This data stems from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics, offering an accurate snapshot of what dental hygienists can expect in this region.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.76 | $246.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.81 | $254.46 |
| Median (P50) | $37.43 | $299.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.80 | $302.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.49 | $315.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Parkersburg
Based on $37.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.43/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Parkersburg, WV can expect to earn approximately $77,859 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,919. With a cost-of-living index of 87.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Parkersburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Parkersburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,497.28 | $6,488 | $77,859 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $898.37 | $3,893 | $46,715 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $598.91 | $2,595 | $31,144 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Parkersburg) | $37.43 |
| 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 Parkersburg, WV earn a median of $77,855 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.37% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.00% above the West Virginia state average of $77,084.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.43/hr = $46,715/year (purchasing power: $53,655).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,859/year (purchasing power: $89,425).
CoL index: 87.066 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$29.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.43/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+31.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Parkersburg (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $29.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Parkersburg grew 19.8% from $29.78/hr (2020) to $35.67/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.28/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 Parkersburg 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 Parkersburg
The earnings for part-time dental hygienists can lead to different annual incomes depending on their schedule. For instance, working three days a week for a total of 24 hours would yield a substantial but less than full-time income. On the other hand, per-diem dental hygienists often find themselves in varying financial situations driven by demand and contract opportunities, sometimes earning between $40 to $60 per hour in metropolitan settings. Additionally, the hourly rates often differ based on the type of employer; while solo practices might offer lower pay, DSOs and specialized clinics can provide higher rates or additional benefits. This creates a trade-off between hourly compensation and access to benefits like health insurance, influencing individual preferences for full-time versus part-time work. Negotiation is crucial in this field, so dental hygienists in Parkersburg should be prepared to advocate for favorable terms, knowing the local context and the varying offerings from different employers in the area.
More salary data for Parkersburg, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Parkersburg in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Parkersburg?
Are dental hygienists in Parkersburg paid hourly or salary?
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Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Parkersburg?
Related Pages
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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 Parkersburg. 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