Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Evansville, IN: $41.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Evansville, IN runs $41.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,890 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Evansville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $45.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,137 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Evansville, Indiana, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to be $41.78 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median hourly rate of $49.49. This hourly compensation reflects the realities for both full-time and part-time dental hygienists, especially those working three days a week in various environments such as general dental offices, periodontal specialty suites, and mobile clinics. For professionals looking to earn on a per-diem basis, the current hourly range extends from $32.12 for entry-level positions to $48.11 for the most experienced practitioners. This official BLS data highlights the opportunities for dental hygienists in Evansville, where roughly 200 individuals are currently employed in this field.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.12 | $256.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.37 | $322.96 |
| Median (P50) | $41.78 | $334.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.32 | $370.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.11 | $384.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Evansville
Based on $41.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.78/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Evansville, IN can expect to earn approximately $86,895 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,132. With a cost-of-living index of 91.53 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Evansville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Evansville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,671.06 | $7,241 | $86,895 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,002.64 | $4,345 | $52,137 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $668.43 | $2,897 | $34,758 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Evansville) | $41.78 |
| 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 Evansville, IN earn a median of $86,890 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.60% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.90% below the Indiana state average of $90,417.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.78/hr = $52,137/year (purchasing power: $56,963).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,895/year (purchasing power: $94,939).
CoL index: 91.528 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$30.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.78/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+46.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Evansville (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $30.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Evansville grew 32.7% from $30.01/hr (2020) to $39.81/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $43.84/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 Evansville 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 Evansville
When examining the earnings potential for part-time dental hygienists, a three-day workweek (approximately 24 hours) translates to a notable annual income, albeit lower than that of full-time professionals. For those considering per diem or agency assignments, the pay in other metropolitan areas can reach between $40 and $60 per hour, while high-cost locations may push rates even higher. Interestingly, hourly wages can vary significantly depending on the type of employer, with solo practices and multi-doctor setups often offering different pay scales than larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) or specialty offices. Many dental hygienists in Evansville might choose to accept a lower hourly rate for the benefit of consistent health insurance coverage. This trade-off can influence negotiations; hygienists should assess not only hourly pay but also the entirety of their compensation package. Understanding the landscape of employer types and the nuances of per diem dental hygienist pay in Evansville is crucial for those entering the profession.
More salary data for Evansville, IN:
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 Evansville. 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