Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Cumberland, RI: $47.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Cumberland, RI runs $47.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $98,466 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Cumberland's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,078 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Cumberland, Rhode Island, dental hygienists earn a median hourly rate of $47.34, which is slightly below the national median of $49.49. This hourly figure offers insight into the earning potential of those in part-time positions or per-diem roles, common in diverse settings like private dental offices, pediatric clinics, or public health facilities. For instance, a dental hygienist working three days a week can expect to make a considerable income, particularly given the hourly pay range from $37.91 for entry-level positions to $58.38 for those at the top percentile. These estimates, derived from annual salary projections, underscore how this profession can provide flexibility and competitive pay, especially in varied practice environments across Cumberland.
About the Cumberland 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) | $37.91 | $303.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41.07 | $328.59 |
| Median (P50) | $47.34 | $378.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.55 | $420.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.38 | $467.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cumberland
Based on $47.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.34/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cumberland, RI can expect to earn approximately $98,464 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,806. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Cumberland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cumberland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,893.54 | $8,205 | $98,464 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,136.12 | $4,923 | $59,078 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $757.41 | $3,282 | $39,386 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Cumberland) | $47.34 |
| 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 Cumberland, RI earn a median of $98,466 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.35% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.80% below the Rhode Island state average of $103,431.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.34/hr = $59,078/year (purchasing power: $58,784).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $98,464/year (purchasing power: $97,974).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$34.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.34/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+42.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Cumberland (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $34.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Cumberland grew 29.3% from $34.88/hr (2020) to $45.11/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $49.68/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 Cumberland 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 Cumberland
Moving beyond straightforward pay, the earning potential for a part-time dental hygienist working in Cumberland varies significantly. If employed at 24 hours per week, a dental hygienist could earn around $56,000 annually, a solid income compared to full-time counterparts. Moreover, per diem dental hygienists in Cumberland might face hourly pay scales that range widely depending on agency contracts, often topping $60 in high-demand locations. The type of employer significantly impacts these rates, as solo practices may offer different pay structures compared to Dental Service Organizations like Heartland or Aspen. Some hygienists might choose to work for lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, which temp agencies rarely provide. For those looking to negotiate their pay, understanding the value of benefits versus higher wages without healthcare can prove advantageous in securing an optimal compensation package in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Cumberland, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Cumberland. 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 Cumberland 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