Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Appleton, WI: $48.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Appleton, WI runs $48.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $101,110 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Appleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.4, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,663 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Appleton, Wisconsin, the anticipated median dental hygienist hourly pay for 2026 stands at $48.61, slightly below the national median of $49.49. This hourly rate considerably impacts both part-time and per-diem workers, making it attractive for those seeking flexible schedules in various environments, such as general dentistry offices, pediatric clinics, and public health settings. The overall hourly range in Appleton for dental hygienists varies significantly, starting from $40.78 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $51.08 for those at the top of their profession, providing a broad spectrum of earning potential based on experience, skill level, and type of practice.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.78 | $326.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.81 | $342.44 |
| Median (P50) | $48.61 | $388.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.59 | $396.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.08 | $408.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Appleton
Based on $48.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.61/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Appleton, WI can expect to earn approximately $101,105 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,330. With a cost-of-living index of 92.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Appleton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Appleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,944.33 | $8,425 | $101,105 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,166.60 | $5,055 | $60,663 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $777.73 | $3,370 | $40,442 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Appleton) | $48.61 |
| 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 Appleton, WI earn a median of $101,110 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.78% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.40% above the Wisconsin state average of $100,707.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.61/hr = $60,663/year (purchasing power: $65,639).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $101,105/year (purchasing power: $109,399).
CoL index: 92.419 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$32.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.61/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+56.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Appleton (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $32.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Appleton grew 42.1% from $32.59/hr (2020) to $46.32/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.01/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 Appleton 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 Appleton
For part-time dental hygienists working three days a week, typically around 24 hours, the annual earnings can reflect a substantial difference in lifestyle when compared to full-time employment. Depending on the number of shifts and hours worked, their total compensation may hover around $58,000 per year, which may allow for financial flexibility while balancing work and personal commitments. On the per diem front, salaried positions often yield $40-$60 per hour, with some hygienists in high-cost-of-living locations earning up to $85 per hour, albeit contracts for travel hygienists are less common than in nursing. In Appleton specifically, hourly pay may differ based on employer types—solo practitioners typically offer lower rates, while larger Dental Service Organizations are known to provide better compensation packages and benefits. For those in the field, negotiating aspects like benefits can influence overall compensation; accepting lower rates in exchange for health insurance can ultimately impact take-home pay. Understanding local employment dynamics, particularly in terms of employer type and benefits, can help dental hygienists in Appleton navigate their career paths effectively.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
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 Appleton. 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