Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in East Providence, RI: $49.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in East Providence, RI runs $49.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $102,553 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against East Providence's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $49.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,527 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In East Providence, Rhode Island, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to reach $49.30 in 2026, which is only slightly lower than the national median of $49.49. This competitive hourly rate is particularly advantageous for part-time hygienists working three days a week, offering a pathway to substantial earnings while retaining flexibility. Daily rates also provide opportunities for per diem work in diverse settings, such as general dentistry clinics, specialty practices, and public health initiatives. For emerging professionals, the hourly range in East Providence starts at $38.68, increasing to $61.63 for experienced hygienists, illustrating a promising salary trajectory for those entering the field or considering shifts across various workplace environments.
About the East Providence Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($85,020) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.68 | $309.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.22 | $337.74 |
| Median (P50) | $49.30 | $394.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54.13 | $433.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.63 | $493.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in East Providence
Based on $49.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.30/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in East Providence, RI can expect to earn approximately $102,546 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,161. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in East Providence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in East Providence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,972.03 | $8,545 | $102,546 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,183.22 | $5,127 | $61,527 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $788.81 | $3,418 | $41,018 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (East Providence) | $49.30 |
| 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 East Providence, RI earn a median of $102,553 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.38% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.90% below the Rhode Island state average of $103,484.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.30/hr = $61,527/year (purchasing power: $61,221).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $102,546/year (purchasing power: $102,036).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$36.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.98/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.30/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+42.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in East Providence (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $36.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.07/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.98/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in East Providence grew 29.3% from $36.33/hr (2020) to $46.98/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.74/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 East Providence 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 East Providence
The prospect of part-time work for dental hygienists in East Providence can yield considerable income, with a hygienist working 24 hours a week potentially bringing home substantially less than their full-time counterparts. In contrast, per diem or agency positions—which typically provide hourly pay between $40 and $60—enable hygienists to maintain a fluid work schedule while capitalizing on higher rates in more populous metro areas such as Boston or New York City. Furthermore, hourly pay often fluctuates based on the type of employer; for instance, solo practices may pay lower rates compared to Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) that often offer competitive salaries along with benefits. This leads some to accept lower hourly wages in exchange for improved job security and healthcare coverage. Negotiating pay can also vary based on experience, local demand, and the benefits offered, necessitating awareness of the employment landscape in East Providence, as well as leveraging any unique skills or credentials when discussing compensation.
More salary data for East Providence, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in East Providence in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in East Providence?
Are dental hygienists in East Providence paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in East Providence?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in East Providence?
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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 East Providence. 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 East Providence 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