Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Billings, MT: $50.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Billings, MT runs $50.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $104,321 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Billings's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.5, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $53.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,588 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Billings, Montana, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $50.15, which exceeds the national median hourly rate of $49.49. This attractive hourly rate offers both part-time and per diem workers a competitive edge, particularly within various dental work environments such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and public health clinics. For instance, a part-time dental hygienist who works three days a week might earn significant income without the demands of a full-time schedule. Additionally, the hourly pay ranges from $40.18 for entry-level positions to as high as $52.65 for top earners, reflecting the competitive landscape for dental hygienist hourly pay in Billings.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.18 | $321.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.34 | $370.73 |
| Median (P50) | $50.15 | $401.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.89 | $415.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.65 | $421.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Billings
Based on $50.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $50.15/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Billings, MT can expect to earn approximately $104,314 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $60,181. With a cost-of-living index of 93.53 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Billings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Billings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,006.03 | $8,693 | $104,314 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,203.62 | $5,216 | $62,588 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $802.41 | $3,477 | $41,725 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Billings) | $50.15 |
| 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 Billings, MT earn a median of $104,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.34% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 1.20% above the Montana state average of $103,084.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $50.15/hr = $62,588/year (purchasing power: $66,921).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $104,314/year (purchasing power: $111,534).
CoL index: 93.526 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$37.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$50.15/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+40.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Billings (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $37.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $38.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $40.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $43.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Billings grew 28.0% from $37.35/hr (2020) to $47.79/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $52.63/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 Billings 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 Billings
In terms of actual take-home pay, a dental hygienist working part-time for three days a week, or 24 hours total, can anticipate an annual salary that still results in a substantial income compared to full-time positions. For per diem opportunities, pay rates for dental hygienists doing temporary or agency work typically range between $40 and $60 per hour, depending on the market dynamics and specific employer types. In Billings, compensation may vary significantly across different settings, such as solo practices, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), and public health clinics, with solo practices often offering lower hourly rates. This variability highlights the nuanced decision-making process for dental hygienists when choosing to prioritize hourly wages versus benefits like health insurance. When negotiating pay, it's essential for professionals to research and leverage local market data to maximize their earning potential while considering the trade-offs of compensation packages in Billings, MT.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Billings in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Billings?
Are dental hygienists in Billings paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Billings?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Billings?
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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 Billings. 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