Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Bangor, ME: $44.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Bangor, ME runs $44.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $92,819 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Bangor's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.5, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,699 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bangor, ME, the dental hygienist hourly pay stands at a median of $44.63, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $49.49. This wage reflects the realities faced by dental hygienists working in various settings, ranging from general dentistry practices to specialty arenas like pediatric and periodontal care. Furthermore, those pursuing part-time roles, such as a three-day-a-week schedule, can expect a manageable income that caters to flexible lifestyles. Entry-level dental hygienists may begin their careers closer to $41.85 per hour, while experienced professionals can command up to $51.68 per hour, presenting a viable pathway for career advancement. These figures are derived from 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data, offering a snapshot of what dental hygienists can anticipate in Bangor's job market.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.85 | $334.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.29 | $338.33 |
| Median (P50) | $44.63 | $357.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.97 | $375.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.68 | $413.46 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bangor
Based on $44.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.63/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bangor, ME can expect to earn approximately $92,832 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,557. With a cost-of-living index of 96.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bangor.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bangor
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,785.24 | $7,736 | $92,832 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,071.14 | $4,642 | $55,699 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $714.10 | $3,094 | $37,133 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Bangor) | $44.63 |
| 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 Bangor, ME earn a median of $92,819 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.84% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 9.50% below the Maine state average of $102,563.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.63/hr = $55,699/year (purchasing power: $57,715).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $92,832/year (purchasing power: $96,191).
CoL index: 96.508 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$31.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$42.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.63/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+49.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Bangor (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $31.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.50/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $42.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Bangor grew 35.9% from $31.30/hr (2020) to $42.53/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.84/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 Bangor 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 Bangor
Considering the financial implications of part-time work, a dental hygienist working 24 hours a week could bring home about $55,000 annually, significantly less than the earnings of full-time counterparts. For those in the per diem realm, compensation varies, often ranging from $40 to $60 per hour, with temporary agency positions offering fluctuating rates based on location and demand. In Bangor, the diversity of employment settings—such as solo practices versus Dental Service Organizations—yields varying pay scales. Some hygienists may prefer a lower hourly rate for the security of health benefits, while others might opt for higher wages without those perks. Negotiating hourly pay requires an understanding of local market trends, emphasizing the importance of presenting relevant experience and adaptability to employers within the growing dental hygiene sector.
More salary data for Bangor, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Bangor?
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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 Bangor. 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