Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Gillette, WY: $44.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Gillette, WY runs $44.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,433 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Gillette's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,066 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gillette, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $44.92 as of 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $49.49. This difference may influence part-time workers, who typically might choose a 3-day work schedule, averaging around 24 hours a week. In practical settings such as general dentistry operatories, periodontal specialty suites, and pediatric exam rooms, this translates to a solid yet modest earning potential, highlighting the financial realities for dental hygienists in the area. The hourly pay scale also reflects a range from $35.64 for entry-level positions to $55.11 for the most experienced professionals. These figures, derived from annual salary projections, illustrate the spectrum of compensation within various working environments.
About the Gillette Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($83,513) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.64 | $285.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.73 | $309.87 |
| Median (P50) | $44.92 | $359.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.55 | $396.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.11 | $440.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gillette
Based on $44.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.92/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gillette, WY can expect to earn approximately $93,444 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,910. With a cost-of-living index of 95.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gillette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gillette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,796.99 | $7,787 | $93,444 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,078.20 | $4,672 | $56,066 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $718.80 | $3,115 | $37,377 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Gillette) | $44.92 |
| 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 Gillette, WY earn a median of $93,433 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.24% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.30% below the Wyoming state average of $98,662.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.92/hr = $56,066/year (purchasing power: $58,524).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,444/year (purchasing power: $97,540).
CoL index: 95.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$33.39/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.92/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+41.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Gillette (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $33.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Gillette grew 28.2% from $33.39/hr (2020) to $42.81/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.14/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 Gillette 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 Gillette
Considering the earnings of a part-time dental hygienist at this median rate, one can project an annual income of approximately $55,708 before taxes, significantly less than what a full-time hygienist would make annually. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Gillette can vary widely, as temp agencies typically offer between $40 and $60 per hour, while DSO practices might provide stability with benefits in exchange for slightly lower hourly wages. Dental hygienists employed in diverse settings, including public health clinics and pediatric offices, may find negotiation strategies essential, especially in a market where the trade-off between higher pay without benefits and lower pay with health coverage is often a consideration. For those in Gillette looking to maximize their income potential, it's recommended to weigh employer type against personal financial needs and work-life balance, as pay structures can vastly differ between independent practices and larger organizations like Heartland or Aspen Dental.
More salary data for Gillette, WY:
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 Gillette. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Gillette is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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