Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Fairbanks, AK: $66.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Fairbanks, AK runs $66.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $138,374 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Fairbanks's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $64.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $83,032 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fairbanks, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to hit an impressive $66.53 in 2026, significantly higher than the national average of $49.49. This favorable rate provides lucrative opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers, particularly in diverse environments such as general dentistry office settings, pediatric exam rooms, and public health mobile clinics. The hourly wage spans a range from $41.12 for entry-level positions to $69.27 for seasoned experts, reflecting the potential income for those starting their careers as well as for top earners in this field. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics, highlighting Fairbanks' competitive pay scale within Alaska.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.12 | $328.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65.92 | $527.39 |
| Median (P50) | $66.53 | $532.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.20 | $537.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69.27 | $554.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fairbanks
Based on $66.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $66.53/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fairbanks, AK can expect to earn approximately $138,386 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $79,838. With a cost-of-living index of 103.21 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fairbanks.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fairbanks
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,661.28 | $11,532 | $138,386 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,596.77 | $6,919 | $83,032 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,064.51 | $4,613 | $55,355 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Fairbanks) | $66.53 |
| 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 Fairbanks, AK earn a median of $138,374 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.41% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 26.70% above the Alaska state average of $109,214.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $66.53/hr = $83,032/year (purchasing power: $80,451).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $138,386/year (purchasing power: $134,085).
CoL index: 103.208 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$58.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$63.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$66.53/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+20.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Fairbanks (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $58.05/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $57.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $62.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $63.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Fairbanks grew 9.2% from $58.05/hr (2020) to $63.40/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $69.82/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 Fairbanks 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 Fairbanks
For a dental hygienist working three days a week, typically amounting to around 24 hours, the annual income can be substantial but may not compare favorably to full-time earnings, underlining the decision many make between part-time flexibility and financial stability. In contrast to temp agency pay, which generally hovers between $40 to $60 per hour, some of Fairbanks' higher-cost areas observe rates that can reach $69.27, underlining the range of compensation across different employment types, including private practices and DSOs like Heartland and Aspen. Variables such as employer type and benefit packages often drive these differences; notably, hygienists willing to accept lower hourly rates may receive health insurance, whereas those preferring higher hourly earnings might forfeit such benefits. Negotiation strategies in this evolving landscape are vital for extracting the best financial advantages.
More salary data for Fairbanks, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Fairbanks in 2026?
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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 Fairbanks. 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