Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Rock Springs, WY: $44.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Rock Springs, WY runs $44.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $92,679 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Rock Springs's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,608 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Rock Springs, WY, the projected dental hygienist hourly pay for 2026 stands at $44.56, which is notably lower than the national median of $49.49. This rate, however, offers a solid income for those in various settings, including general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and public health mobile clinics. For part-time workers maintaining a schedule of just three days a week, the hourly pay presents an appealing option, leading to financial stability without committing to a full-time role. With an hourly range extending from $36.79 for entry-level positions to $54.81 for experienced professionals, dental hygienists can expect varied earning potential that reflects their expertise and the specific environments in which they work.
About the Rock Springs 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) | $36.79 | $294.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39.29 | $314.32 |
| Median (P50) | $44.56 | $356.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.67 | $389.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.81 | $438.48 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rock Springs
Based on $44.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.56/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rock Springs, WY can expect to earn approximately $92,680 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,469. With a cost-of-living index of 95.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rock Springs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rock Springs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,782.30 | $7,723 | $92,680 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,069.38 | $4,634 | $55,608 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $712.92 | $3,089 | $37,072 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Rock Springs) | $44.56 |
| 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 Rock Springs, WY earn a median of $92,679 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.97% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 6.00% below the Wyoming state average of $98,594.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.56/hr = $55,608/year (purchasing power: $58,046).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $92,680/year (purchasing power: $96,743).
CoL index: 95.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$33.12/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.56/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+41.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Rock Springs (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $33.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Rock Springs grew 28.2% from $33.12/hr (2020) to $42.46/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.76/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 Rock Springs 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 Rock Springs
Considering the financial prospects, part-time dental hygienists working 24 hours a week can expect to take home a substantially lower annual income compared to their full-time counterparts, while also enjoying flexibility. Per diem options, often offered through temporary agencies, can provide compensation between $40 to $60 per hour in regional markets, yet such roles are more competitive and less common in Rock Springs. Hourly rates are influenced by employer types, with solo practices typically offering lower pay and DSOs providing benefits that could justify a lower hourly rate. Hygienists willing to negotiate may find that the trade-off for lower hourly rates often includes vital benefits like health insurance, which can be a compelling factor in job selection, particularly in a community like Rock Springs where a lower cost of living might offset the need for a higher hourly wage.
More salary data for Rock Springs, 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 Rock Springs. 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 Rock Springs 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