Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Walla Walla, WA: $53.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Walla Walla, WA runs $53.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $111,950 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Walla Walla's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,172 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Walla Walla, the dental hygienist hourly pay reflects a competitive median of $53.82, notably higher than the national median of $49.49. This attractive rate benefits part-time workers, typically employed three days a week, as they can earn a substantial income while maintaining a flexible schedule. Per-diem dental hygienists also stand to gain from this advantageous hourly rate, especially when working within diverse environments such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, or public health mobile clinics. With entry-level positions starting at approximately $49.42 per hour and top earners potentially reaching $63.17, hygienists in Walla Walla are well-positioned within the state's labor market. These figures, drawn from 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data, reveal a solid hourly range catering to the needs of both full-time and part-time professionals alike.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.42 | $395.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50.27 | $402.13 |
| Median (P50) | $53.82 | $430.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.85 | $478.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63.17 | $505.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Walla Walla
Based on $53.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.82/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Walla Walla, WA can expect to earn approximately $111,953 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,588. With a cost-of-living index of 98.52 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Walla Walla.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Walla Walla
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,152.95 | $9,329 | $111,953 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,291.77 | $5,598 | $67,172 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $861.18 | $3,732 | $44,781 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Walla Walla) | $53.82 |
| 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 Walla Walla, WA earn a median of $111,950 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.75% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 13.20% below the Washington state average of $128,975.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.82/hr = $67,172/year (purchasing power: $68,182).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $111,953/year (purchasing power: $113,636).
CoL index: 98.519 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$44.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.82/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Walla Walla (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $44.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Walla Walla grew 15.0% from $44.59/hr (2020) to $51.29/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.48/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 Walla Walla 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 Walla Walla
Focusing on the financial potential of part-time work, a dental hygienist employed for 24 hours per week could expect to take home around $67,000 annually, compared to full-time earnings which could exceed $111,950. For those considering per diem roles, agency positions in major metro areas often pay between $40 and $60 per hour; however, in high-cost-of-living cities, rates can soar to $60-85. Various employer types in Walla Walla, from solo dental practices to larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen, can offer different hourly rates that impact overall earnings significantly. Hygienists may choose lower-paying positions with benefits like health insurance over higher-paying, benefit-free roles, making negotiations around hourly wages important. Understanding local market trends for dental hygienist hourly rates in WA, as well as the benefits trade-off, can be crucial for optimizing pay in this evolving profession.
More salary data for Walla Walla, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Walla Walla in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Walla Walla?
Are dental hygienists in Walla Walla paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Walla Walla?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Walla Walla?
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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 Walla Walla. 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