Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Palm Bay, FL: $48.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Palm Bay, FL runs $48.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,113 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Palm Bay's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.0, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,061 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Dental hygienists in Palm Bay, Florida, earn a median hourly rate of $48.13, which is slightly below the national median of $49.49. This pay scale reflects what dental hygienists can expect in various clinical settings, including general dentistry operatories, specialty practices, and public health mobile clinics. For part-time workers, such as those working three days a week, this rate presents a flexible earning structure ideal for balancing personal commitments. Entry-level professionals might start at approximately $38.33 per hour, while experienced hygienists can make up to $50.78, providing a substantial range across the profession in this coastal community. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics data highlights these figures as a reflection of the employment landscape for dental hygienists in 2026.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.33 | $306.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.16 | $329.26 |
| Median (P50) | $48.13 | $385.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.27 | $402.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.78 | $406.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Palm Bay
Based on $48.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.13/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Palm Bay, FL can expect to earn approximately $100,101 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,751. With a cost-of-living index of 100.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Palm Bay.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Palm Bay
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,925.02 | $8,342 | $100,101 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,155.01 | $5,005 | $60,061 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $770.01 | $3,337 | $40,040 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Palm Bay) | $48.13 |
| 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 Palm Bay, FL earn a median of $100,113 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.75% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.90% above the Florida state average of $96,355.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.13/hr = $60,061/year (purchasing power: $60,058).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,101/year (purchasing power: $100,096).
CoL index: 100.005 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$34.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.13/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+47.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Palm Bay (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $34.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Palm Bay grew 34.3% from $34.14/hr (2020) to $45.86/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.50/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 Palm Bay 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 Palm Bay
When considering part-time roles, a dental hygienist working 24 hours per week could potentially take home about $48,000 annually, contrasting sharply with full-time earnings that can significantly exceed $100,000. For those looking at per diem employment, the rates can vary substantially, with many agencies offering pay between $40 and $60 per hour, which reflects the flexibility sought by several practitioners. In Palm Bay, the pay rates can differ depending on whether the hygienist is employed in a solo dental practice, a multi-doctor group, or a Dental Service Organization (DSO). Some dental hygienists may prioritize health benefits over higher hourly wages, which can influence their negotiations; negotiating a pay rate that reflects one’s skills and experience is essential. The evolving market dynamics, such as DSO consolidation and increased demand for hygienists, create fresh opportunities for both new graduates and seasoned professionals alike.
More salary data for Palm Bay, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Palm Bay. 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