Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Grand Island, NE: $43.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Grand Island, NE runs $43.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $89,892 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Grand Island's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.7, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $49.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,931 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Island, Nebraska, dental hygienist hourly pay is estimated at $43.21 in 2026, which sits below the national hourly median of $49.49. This hourly rate is especially pertinent for those working part-time or per-diem; a dental hygienist three days a week can find themselves earning a solid wage, which is crucial in a profession that commonly offers flexibility in scheduling. The hourly wage range for this role in Grand Island stretches from about $41.19 for entry-level positions to $47.63 for the most experienced practitioners. These figures, derived from base data projected for 2026, show that despite the state's lower cost of living index at 86.657, salaries still play a vital role in attracting talent to various settings like general dentistry offices, pediatric exam rooms, and public health clinics.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.19 | $329.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.53 | $340.26 |
| Median (P50) | $43.21 | $345.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.41 | $371.32 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.63 | $381.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Island
Based on $43.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $43.21/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Island, NE can expect to earn approximately $89,886 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,857. With a cost-of-living index of 86.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Island.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Island
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,728.57 | $7,490 | $89,886 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,037.14 | $4,494 | $53,931 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $691.43 | $2,996 | $35,954 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Grand Island) | $43.21 |
| 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 Grand Island, NE earn a median of $89,892 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.68% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.60% below the Nebraska state average of $94,226.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $43.21/hr = $53,931/year (purchasing power: $62,236).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $89,886/year (purchasing power: $103,726).
CoL index: 86.657 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$31.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$41.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$43.21/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+43.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Grand Island (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $31.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.00/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $41.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Grand Island grew 30.5% from $31.55/hr (2020) to $41.18/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.35/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 Grand Island 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 Grand Island
Part-time dental hygienists in Grand Island typically work around 24 hours per week and, if maintaining the projected hourly pay, could expect to bring home an annual income of approximately $53,252. In contrast, full-time hygienists might see a more substantial overall income due to increased hours. For those considering per-diem or temporary positions, pay can vary widely; while local rates hover at around $40-$60 per hour, travel opportunities in high-cost living areas like San Francisco or New York City can increase potential earnings to between $60-$85 hour. Grand Island's dental hygiene professionals may find their hourly rates influenced by the type of employer as well. Dental Service Organizations and multi-doctor group practices often offer more stability and potential employee benefits, whereas independent practices might offer higher wages without health insurance coverage. Negotiating for higher pay can be essential in this context; dental hygienists should emphasize their experience and the potential productivity they bring, especially in a market reflecting the ongoing effects of DSO consolidation and hiring competition.
More salary data for Grand Island, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Grand Island in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Grand Island?
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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 Grand Island. 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