Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Bridgeport, CT: $52.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Bridgeport, CT runs $52.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $108,497 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Bridgeport's regional price level (BEA RPP 106.9, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $48.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $65,103 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bridgeport, Connecticut, the dental hygienist hourly pay stands at a median of $52.17. Compared to the national average hourly rate of $49.49, this figure highlights the competitive nature of the market in CT. This hourly rate is particularly beneficial for part-time workers, such as those putting in three days a week, providing them with an attractive pay scale of approximately $1,400 weekly for 24 hours of work. Per-diem dental hygienists, who may work across various settings like general dentistry offices, pediatric clinics, or public health services, can find varying rates, with entry-level positions earning around $31.48 and experienced professionals reaching up to $53.89 per hour. All figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31.48 | $251.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51.76 | $414.05 |
| Median (P50) | $52.17 | $417.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.68 | $421.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53.89 | $431.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bridgeport
Based on $52.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.17/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bridgeport, CT can expect to earn approximately $108,505 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $62,599. With a cost-of-living index of 106.86 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bridgeport.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bridgeport
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,086.63 | $9,042 | $108,505 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,251.98 | $5,425 | $65,103 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $834.65 | $3,617 | $43,402 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Bridgeport) | $52.17 |
| 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 Bridgeport, CT earn a median of $108,497 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.39% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 4.50% above the Connecticut state average of $103,825.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.17/hr = $65,103/year (purchasing power: $60,921).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $108,505/year (purchasing power: $101,535).
CoL index: 106.864 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$45.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.17/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Bridgeport (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $45.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $47.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $48.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $49.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Bridgeport grew 9.6% from $45.36/hr (2020) to $49.71/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $54.74/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 Bridgeport 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 Bridgeport
For those interested in part-time roles, a dental hygienist working three days a week can expect to take home a significant income, potentially aligning closely with full-time earnings depending on the hours worked. Per diem dental hygienist pay in Bridgeport reflects a range from $40 to $60 per hour when working through agencies, especially in high-cost living areas. The type of employer significantly influences hourly rates; solo practices may offer less than larger Dental Service Organizations like Heartland or Pacific Dental, which often include benefits alongside higher pay rates. Additionally, dental hygienists in specialized fields or public health might encounter a trade-off between higher hourly rates and lower overall job security or benefits. Negotiation skills play a vital role in securing satisfactory pay, where being informed about industry standards in CT can empower dental hygienists to advocate effectively for themselves in this evolving marketplace.
More salary data for Bridgeport, CT:
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 Bridgeport. 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