Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Fargo, ND: $42.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Fargo, ND runs $42.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $88,559 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Fargo's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $46.85 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $53,133 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, the dental hygienist hourly pay stands at a median of $42.57, considerably lower than the national hourly median of $49.49. For part-time or per diem dental hygienists, this translates into practical earning potential, especially when working in various settings such as general dentistry operatories, pediatric exam rooms, and public health clinics. Those working three days a week can expect an hourly range from $38.94 at entry-level positions up to $48.63 for those at the high end of experience or specialization. Both the entry-level and seasoned professionals benefit from the diverse opportunities available, although earning less at the local level compared to national figures signifies the need for strategic planning, particularly for per diem roles, which often pay somewhere in between the base hourly rates.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38.94 | $311.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42.03 | $336.23 |
| Median (P50) | $42.57 | $340.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.42 | $379.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.63 | $389.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fargo
Based on $42.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $42.57/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fargo, ND can expect to earn approximately $88,554 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $51,089. With a cost-of-living index of 90.87 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fargo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fargo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,702.97 | $7,380 | $88,554 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,021.78 | $4,428 | $53,133 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $681.19 | $2,952 | $35,422 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Fargo) | $42.57 |
| 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 Fargo, ND earn a median of $88,559 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.98% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 6.50% below the North Dakota state average of $94,715.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $42.57/hr = $53,133/year (purchasing power: $58,470).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $88,554/year (purchasing power: $97,451).
CoL index: 90.871 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$32.74/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$42.57/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+36.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Fargo (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $32.74/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.91/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Fargo grew 23.9% from $32.74/hr (2020) to $40.57/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.68/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 Fargo 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 Fargo
Part-time dental hygienists working three days a week, which typically amounts to around 24 hours, might find their annual earnings significantly lower than those who work full-time. This discrepancy is highlighted when examining the per diem model, where hygienists can earn between $40 to $60 an hour through temp agencies, with higher rates in metropolitan areas. In Fargo, hourly rates may fluctuate depending on the employer type, with solo dental practices and multi-doctor offices offering different compensation structures compared to larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen. Many hygienists may choose lower-paying positions at practices that provide health insurance and benefits, creating a trade-off for those prioritizing job security over hourly pay. Engaging in effective negotiations can help dental hygienists in Fargo seek compensation that aligns more closely with their skills and local market trends while navigating these employer-specific pay scales.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Fargo. 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