Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Morgantown, WV: $37.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Morgantown, WV runs $37.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,488 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Morgantown's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,493 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Morgantown, West Virginia, the dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to be $37.25 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $49.49. This discrepancy indicates some unique dynamics in the local job market, making it essential for both part-time and per-diem hygienists to strategize their work arrangements. For instance, a dental hygienist working three days a week may find this hourly rate translates to a sustainable income, while those opting for per-diem positions can expect varying rates of $24.19 to $46.76, depending on their experience and the working environment. With 120 dental hygienists currently employed in Morgantown, understanding this hourly pay spectrum is vital for new graduates entering settings such as general dental practices, periodontics, pediatric care, and public health services.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.19 | $193.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.93 | $255.47 |
| Median (P50) | $37.25 | $298.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.79 | $318.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.76 | $374.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Morgantown
Based on $37.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.25/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Morgantown, WV can expect to earn approximately $77,488 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,704. With a cost-of-living index of 93.32 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Morgantown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Morgantown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,490.15 | $6,457 | $77,488 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $894.09 | $3,874 | $46,493 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $596.06 | $2,583 | $30,995 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Morgantown) | $37.25 |
| 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 Morgantown, WV earn a median of $77,488 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.73% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.50% above the West Virginia state average of $77,102.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.25/hr = $46,493/year (purchasing power: $49,819).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,488/year (purchasing power: $83,032).
CoL index: 93.323 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$27.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.25/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Morgantown (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $27.67/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.09/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Morgantown grew 28.3% from $27.67/hr (2020) to $35.50/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.09/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 Morgantown 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 Morgantown
Considering the financial implications of working part-time, a dental hygienist in Morgantown often faces a different earning reality compared to a full-time professional. For example, a part-time hygienist working 24 hours a week might take home approximately $46,624 annually, while full-time colleagues could see numbers approaching $77,488. The per diem dental hygienist pay in Morgantown may vary significantly, especially as temp agencies frequently offer higher rates ranging from $40 to $60 an hour, but such positions often lack benefits like health insurance. Additionally, hourly rates often differ among various employer types, with solo practices potentially offering lower wages compared to larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) that might include additional perks or bonuses. As market fluctuations continue, it's important for dental hygienists to negotiate wisely, weighing the benefits of lower pay against comprehensive benefits packages that can make full-time positions appealing despite higher hourly rates available in other employment scenarios.
More salary data for Morgantown, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Morgantown in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Morgantown?
Are dental hygienists in Morgantown paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Morgantown?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Morgantown?
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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 Morgantown. 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