Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Gulfport, MS: $37.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Gulfport, MS runs $37.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,131 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Gulfport's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.0, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,283 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gulfport, Mississippi, the projected hourly pay for dental hygienists in 2026 stands at $37.09. This figure is significantly lower compared to the national median hourly rate of $49.49, indicating that dental hygienists in the region earn approximately 25.08% less than their counterparts nationwide. For dental hygienists working part-time, typically around 24 hours over three days a week, this hourly rate can provide a reasonable income, especially in various settings like general dentistry offices, pediatric clinics, and public health initiatives. The pay range for entry-level dental hygienists starts at approximately $32.43 per hour, with those at the higher end of the salary spectrum earning up to $45.91 per hour.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32.43 | $259.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.06 | $272.51 |
| Median (P50) | $37.09 | $296.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.02 | $304.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.91 | $367.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gulfport
Based on $37.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.09/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gulfport, MS can expect to earn approximately $77,138 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,503. With a cost-of-living index of 90.01 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gulfport.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gulfport
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,483.43 | $6,428 | $77,138 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $890.06 | $3,857 | $46,283 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $593.37 | $2,571 | $30,855 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Gulfport) | $37.09 |
| 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 Gulfport, MS earn a median of $77,131 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.08% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 12.60% below the Mississippi state average of $88,250.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.09/hr = $46,283/year (purchasing power: $51,422).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,138/year (purchasing power: $85,704).
CoL index: 90.006 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$27.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.09/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+39.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Gulfport (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $27.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Gulfport grew 26.7% from $27.90/hr (2020) to $35.34/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.92/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 Gulfport 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 Gulfport
The earning potential for a dental hygienist can differ vastly depending on their employment setting. A part-time hygienist in Gulfport might earn around $46,000 annually, which is a decent income but notably less than what full-time colleagues might accumulate. On the other hand, per diem positions and agency roles often entice professionals with higher hourly rates, sometimes reaching $40-$60 per hour. However, such positions typically lack consistent benefits, which many professionals find valuable. Factors like practice type further influence hourly rates; while solo dental practices may offer lower pay, multi-doctor groups and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) may provide competitive offers, alongside potential bonuses and benefits. Understanding these dynamics can aid dental hygienists in making informed decisions about their employment choices and compensation negotiations in Gulfport.
More salary data for Gulfport, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Gulfport in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Gulfport?
Are dental hygienists in Gulfport paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Gulfport?
Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in Gulfport?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Mississippi
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 Gulfport. 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