Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Charlottesville, VA: $54.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Charlottesville, VA runs $54.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $113,010 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Charlottesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.1, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $54.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,814 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Dental hygienists are expected to earn a median hourly rate of $54.34 in Charlottesville, Virginia, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $49.49. This favorable pay scale is beneficial for those considering part-time or per diem roles within various settings such as general dentistry offices, pediatric clinics, periodontal suites, or public health mobile clinics. With entry-level salaries starting around $48.91 and top earners making as much as $65.65 per hour, dental hygienists in Charlottesville have a range of earning potentials depending on their experience and the type of practice or facility in which they work. The data cited here is based on estimates from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.91 | $391.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.54 | $420.35 |
| Median (P50) | $54.34 | $434.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.61 | $508.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65.65 | $525.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlottesville
Based on $54.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $54.34/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlottesville, VA can expect to earn approximately $113,023 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $65,206. With a cost-of-living index of 99.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlottesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlottesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,173.52 | $9,419 | $113,023 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,304.11 | $5,651 | $67,814 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $869.41 | $3,767 | $45,209 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Charlottesville) | $54.34 |
| 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 Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $113,010 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.78% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 7.30% above the Virginia state average of $105,321.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $54.34/hr = $67,814/year (purchasing power: $68,398).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $113,023/year (purchasing power: $113,996).
CoL index: 99.146 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$38.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$54.34/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Charlottesville (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $38.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $39.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57.02/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Charlottesville grew 34.9% from $38.39/hr (2020) to $51.78/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $57.02/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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville
For dental hygienists considering part-time work in Charlottesville, taking on a three-day weekly schedule, translating to roughly 24 hours, can still yield a substantial annual income. Earning around $52,000 annually for a part-time role can be a solid choice compared to full-time, reflecting a growing trend among hygienists balancing flexibility and income. For those who explore per diem or agency positions, pay typically ranges from $40 to $60 per hour; however, those seeking assignments in higher-cost-of-living areas may find rates exceeding $60. Different employer types in Charlottesville can also lead to variations in hourly pay, with solo practices often offering less than Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). Although accepting lower hourly rates might come with benefits like health insurance, many hygienists are finding work at DSOs appealing for consistent hours and signing bonuses. Engaging in open discussions about hourly compensation is encouraged, particularly when it comes to negotiating terms that balance flexibility and benefit packages.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Charlottesville in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Charlottesville?
Are dental hygienists in Charlottesville paid hourly or salary?
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Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Charlottesville?
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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 Charlottesville. 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