Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Helena, MT: $49.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Helena, MT runs $49.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,051 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Helena's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.7, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $51.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $61,829 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Helena, Montana, dental hygienists earn a median hourly pay of $49.54, slightly above the national average of $49.49. This competitive wage enables part-time workers—those typically scheduling three days a week—to benefit significantly, taking home a solid income while enjoying flexible work hours. The hourly pay for dental hygienists in Helena ranges from $40.74 at the 10th percentile to $51.27 at the 90th percentile, reflecting opportunities for both entry-level and experienced practitioners. These figures stem from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlighting the attractiveness of roles in various settings, including general dentistry clinics, pediatric offices, and public health mobile units, alongside dental service organizations (DSOs).
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.74 | $325.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48.48 | $387.86 |
| Median (P50) | $49.54 | $396.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.51 | $404.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.27 | $410.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Helena
Based on $49.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.54/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Helena, MT can expect to earn approximately $103,048 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,451. With a cost-of-living index of 95.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Helena.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Helena
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,981.69 | $8,587 | $103,048 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,189.01 | $5,152 | $61,829 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $792.67 | $3,435 | $41,219 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Helena) | $49.54 |
| 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 Helena, MT earn a median of $103,051 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.10% higher than the national median of $102,946.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.54/hr = $61,829/year (purchasing power: $64,624).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,048/year (purchasing power: $107,706).
CoL index: 95.675 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$36.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$47.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.54/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+44.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Helena (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $36.10/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $47.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Helena grew 30.8% from $36.10/hr (2020) to $47.21/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.99/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 Helena 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 Helena
Considering part-time opportunities, a dental hygienist working three days a week may earn around $49,000 annually, a respectable income compared to many other professions in the region. For those seeking flexibility, per diem dental hygienist pay in Helena tends to vary, with agency salaries generally falling between $40-60 per hour. While larger cities often experience higher per diem rates, Helena's smaller market can make it more challenging to find lucrative temp opportunities. The pay scales may differ significantly across employer types, such as solo practices versus DSOs, where health benefits are more common. Many hygienists must balance hourly wages against the need for health insurance. Negotiation is key; professionals should leverage their skills and experience to advocate for higher pay, understanding that some positions might offer lower hourly rates but with the added benefit of stability and healthcare coverage.
More salary data for Helena, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Helena in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in Helena?
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How much does a full-time dental hygienist make per year in Helena?
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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 Helena. 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