Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Burien, WA: $61.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Burien, WA runs $61.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $128,423 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Burien's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $57.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $77,060 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burien, Washington, the median dental hygienist hourly pay is projected to be $61.75 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median hourly rate of $49.49. This attractive compensation reflects the area's demand for skilled dental professionals across various settings, including general dentistry, pediatric practices, and periodontal care. For part-time hygienists working three days a week, the opportunity to earn an hourly rate that exceeds national figures is appealing, allowing them to balance work with other pursuits. The hourly pay ranges from $48.56 for entry-level positions up to $81.65 for the most experienced hygienists, catering to a broad spectrum of professional experience levels.
About the Burien Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($123,942) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48.56 | $388.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53.20 | $425.64 |
| Median (P50) | $61.75 | $493.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69.94 | $559.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81.65 | $653.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burien
Based on $61.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $61.75/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burien, WA can expect to earn approximately $128,433 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $74,096. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Burien.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burien
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,469.87 | $10,703 | $128,433 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,481.92 | $6,422 | $77,060 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $987.95 | $4,281 | $51,373 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Burien) | $61.75 |
| 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 Burien, WA earn a median of $128,423 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.75% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 0.50% below the Washington state average of $129,069.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $61.75/hr = $77,060/year (purchasing power: $71,750).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $128,433/year (purchasing power: $119,584).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$47.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$58.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$61.75/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Burien (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $47.07/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $55.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $59.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $55.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $58.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Burien grew 25.0% from $47.07/hr (2020) to $58.84/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.80/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 Burien 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 Burien
For those considering part-time opportunities, a dental hygienist working 24 hours a week in Burien could realistically take home about $77,520 annually, which is a pragmatic approach for professionals looking for flexibility. Meanwhile, per diem dental hygienist pay in Burien can fluctuate based on specific employer types. Established practices or Dental Service Organizations may offer higher rates compared to solo practices due to their larger patient volumes. Additionally, while agency rates typically range from $40 to $60 per hour, metropolitan centers with a high cost of living can push those rates significantly higher. Understanding the benefits and trade-offs of employment scenarios—comparing hourly wages against health insurance offerings—is crucial when negotiating compensation. Those seeking to maximize their earning potential in Burien should consider their priorities carefully during salary discussions, taking into account the overall value of benefits versus higher hourly wages without coverage.
More salary data for Burien, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Burien in 2026?
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Related Pages
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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 Burien. 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 Burien 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