Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Ottumwa, IA: $39.06 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Ottumwa, IA runs $39.06 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,245 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Ottumwa's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $48,745 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ottumwa, Iowa, dental hygienists earn a median hourly rate of $39.06, a figure that lags behind the national median of $49.49. This rate provides a solid foundation for both full-time and part-time workers, allowing those employed three days a week to maintain a decent quality of life. The hourly range for dental hygienists in Ottumwa spans from $32.86 for entry-level positions to $47.41 for top earners, indicating that there are opportunities for skilled professionals to increase their compensation. As these rates are derived from annual salary projections, they reflect the overall earning potential of hygienists working in various settings, including general dentistry offices, specialized periodontal practices, and public health clinics.
About the Ottumwa Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($85,185) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.86 | $262.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.84 | $278.72 |
| Median (P50) | $39.06 | $312.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.19 | $337.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.41 | $379.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ottumwa
Based on $39.06/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.06/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ottumwa, IA can expect to earn approximately $81,242 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,870. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ottumwa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ottumwa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,562.35 | $6,770 | $81,242 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $937.41 | $4,062 | $48,745 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $624.94 | $2,708 | $32,497 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Ottumwa) | $39.06 |
| 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 Ottumwa, IA earn a median of $81,245 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.08% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 7.00% below the Iowa state average of $87,360.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.06/hr = $48,745/year (purchasing power: $53,922).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,242/year (purchasing power: $89,870).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$32.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.22/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.06/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+24.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Ottumwa (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $32.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $34.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.22/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.06/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Ottumwa grew 13.0% from $32.95/hr (2020) to $37.22/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.99/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 Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa
For those considering part-time work in the field, a dental hygienist who works 24 hours a week could take home a comfortable annual income, though this will naturally be lower than that of full-time hygienists. Per diem or agency workers typically find that their compensation can vary significantly based on location, with rates often ranging from $40 to $60 per hour in higher cost-of-living areas. In Ottumwa, the earnings will differ according to the type of practice; multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen generally offer different pay structures compared to solo dental practices. It's essential to weigh the benefits of health insurance and retirement plans against the higher pay offered by employers without these offerings. For those in this profession, understanding the local job market and negotiating effectively based on the specific demands of the job can be vital to maximizing their hourly earnings.
More salary data for Ottumwa, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Ottumwa in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Ottumwa?
Are dental hygienists in Ottumwa paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Ottumwa?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Ottumwa?
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Career Resources
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 Ottumwa. 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 Ottumwa 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