Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in La Crosse, WI: $48.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in La Crosse, WI runs $48.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $100,690 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against La Crosse's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $60,414 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In La Crosse, Wisconsin, dental hygienists command an hourly rate of $48.41, which falls slightly below the national median of $49.49. This figure reflects the potential earnings for both full-time employees and part-time workers in various settings such as general dental clinics, specialty periodontal offices, and pediatric care environments. The hourly pay range for hygienists in La Crosse varies significantly, starting at around $40.79 for entry-level positions, with experienced professionals at the higher end earning up to $50.44 per hour. Given this pay structure, part-time dental hygienists working three days a week can secure a stable income, while those seeking per diem positions, which are also popular, can expect similar hourly wages depending on their specific arrangements within the local healthcare market.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40.79 | $326.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46.17 | $369.39 |
| Median (P50) | $48.41 | $387.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49.41 | $395.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.44 | $403.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Crosse
Based on $48.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $48.41/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Crosse, WI can expect to earn approximately $100,690 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $58,091. With a cost-of-living index of 91.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in La Crosse.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Crosse
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,936.35 | $8,391 | $100,690 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,161.81 | $5,035 | $60,414 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $774.54 | $3,356 | $40,276 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (La Crosse) | $48.41 |
| 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 La Crosse, WI earn a median of $100,690 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.19% lower than the national median of $102,946.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $48.41/hr = $60,414/year (purchasing power: $65,833).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $100,690/year (purchasing power: $109,722).
CoL index: 91.769 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2020 BLS Actual
$34.54/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$48.41/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+47.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in La Crosse (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $34.54/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in La Crosse grew 33.6% from $34.54/hr (2020) to $46.13/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $50.80/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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse
Considering part-time work, a dental hygienist in La Crosse working two 12-hour shifts a week could realize an annual income of about $37,379, contrasting the full-time potential. Per diem dental hygienist pay in La Crosse tends to fluctuate, with agency positions often offering between $40-60 per hour, depending on demand and location. For hygienists associated with larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) or multi-doctor practices, hourly rates might be slightly lower due to added benefits such as health insurance, which can be a decisive factor for many in the field. Solo practices may offer higher pay but with less job security. Potential hires should prepare for negotiations by researching typical hourly rates based on employer type, allowing them to leverage their qualifications effectively within the La Crosse community.
More salary data for La Crosse, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dental hygienists in La Crosse in 2026?
How much do part-time dental hygienists make in La Crosse?
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Do dental hygienists earn more per hour working part-time in La Crosse?
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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 La Crosse. 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