Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Lake Stevens, WA: $59.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Lake Stevens, WA runs $59.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $124,787 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Lake Stevens's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $55.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $74,873 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake Stevens, WA, dental hygienists earn a median hourly rate of $59.99, which significantly exceeds the national median of $49.49. This higher compensation reflects the local demand for dental hygienists and the overall cost of living in the area. For part-time professionals, who may work three days a week, this translates into a substantial income, particularly when factoring in flexibility for personal schedules. Per-diem dental hygienists also find appealing pay in Lake Stevens, with hourly earnings ranging from $49.36 to $72.29 depending on experience and employer type. These figures suggest a solid entry-level wage for new graduates aiming to establish their careers in various settings, including general dentistry, periodontal specialty offices, and public health clinics.
About the Lake Stevens Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($123,942) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.36 | $394.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.22 | $425.72 |
| Median (P50) | $59.99 | $479.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64.09 | $512.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.29 | $578.35 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Stevens
Based on $59.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $59.99/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Stevens, WA can expect to earn approximately $124,788 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $71,993. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lake Stevens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Stevens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,399.77 | $10,399 | $124,788 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,439.86 | $6,239 | $74,873 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $959.91 | $4,160 | $49,915 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Lake Stevens) | $59.99 |
| 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 Lake Stevens, WA earn a median of $124,787 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.22% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 3.30% below the Washington state average of $129,046.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $59.99/hr = $74,873/year (purchasing power: $69,714).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $124,788/year (purchasing power: $116,190).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$45.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$57.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$59.99/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lake Stevens (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $45.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $46.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $54.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $54.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $57.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Lake Stevens grew 25.0% from $45.73/hr (2020) to $57.17/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $62.96/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 Lake Stevens 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 Lake Stevens
Assessing the earning potential for dental hygienists illustrates the different financial scenarios faced by those opting for part-time versus full-time work. A dental hygienist working three days a week, totaling approximately 24 hours, can anticipate earning around $74,465 annually, which contrasts with a full-time commitment that would yield over $124,787. Many dental hygienists also engage with temp agencies for per diem roles, where hourly pay can vary from $40 to $60, with high-cost-of-living cities further escalating these figures. The type of dental practice—be it a solo operation or a larger DSO—also influences hourly earnings, as many organizations offer competitive wages but may trade off higher hourly rates for benefits such as health insurance. For dental hygienists in Lake Stevens, negotiation is key; understanding local benchmarks and clearly defining priorities can lead to more favorable compensation agreements, especially in a market characterized by both stability and competition.
More salary data for Lake Stevens, WA:
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 Lake Stevens. 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 Lake Stevens 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