Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Lewiston, ID: $49.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Lewiston, ID runs $49.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,313 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Lewiston's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.2, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,986 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lewiston, Idaho, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $49.67, which is slightly higher than the national hourly median of $49.49. This competitive rate enables both full-time and part-time professionals to maintain a desirable standard of living, particularly for those working three days a week in settings ranging from general dental offices to specialized pediatric or periodontal practices. In this market, entry-level hygienists can expect to earn approximately $43.37 per hour, while top earners can reach up to $53.34 per hour, indicating a healthy upward mobility potential in the profession. This data, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and projected for 2026, reflects the local demand for dental hygienists and the valuable role they play in patient care throughout Idaho.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43.37 | $346.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49.38 | $395.08 |
| Median (P50) | $49.67 | $397.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.12 | $408.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.34 | $426.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lewiston
Based on $49.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.67/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lewiston, ID can expect to earn approximately $103,310 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,602. With a cost-of-living index of 91.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lewiston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lewiston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,986.72 | $8,609 | $103,310 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,192.03 | $5,165 | $61,986 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $794.69 | $3,444 | $41,324 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Lewiston) | $49.67 |
| 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 Lewiston, ID earn a median of $103,313 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.36% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 3.40% above the Idaho state average of $99,916.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.67/hr = $61,986/year (purchasing power: $67,997).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,310/year (purchasing power: $113,328).
CoL index: 91.16 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$38.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.67/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+36.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lewiston (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $38.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $41.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.77/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Lewiston grew 24.2% from $38.12/hr (2020) to $47.33/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.12/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 Lewiston 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 Lewiston
The earning potential for part-time dental hygienists in Lewiston is significant; those working a typical schedule of 24 hours per week can anticipate an annual income of around $61,972, which provides a viable option for those balancing other commitments. Furthermore, per diem opportunities exist, though they typically offer varying rates influenced by demand; per diem dental hygienist pay in Lewiston can range from $40 to $60 per hour, with some temp agencies in higher-cost living areas offering rates up to $85 hourly. The pay scale can also differ across various types of employers, such as solo practices, larger group practices, and DSOs like Heartland or Aspen Dental, where higher hourly rates might be offset by fewer benefits. Hygienists should consider their priorities when negotiating rates, as some may choose lower pay for comprehensive health insurance packages, while others may prefer higher pay without benefits. Understanding these dynamics can empower dental hygienists in Lewiston to make informed career decisions tailored to their professional and personal needs.
More salary data for Lewiston, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Lewiston. 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