Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay in Commerce City, CO: $53.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dental hygienist working in Commerce City, CO runs $53.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $112,062 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Weighted against Commerce City's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $51.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $67,237 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median hourly pay for dental hygienists in Commerce City is projected to be $53.88, surpassing the national hourly median of $49.49. This competitive rate offers attractive opportunities for part-time workers, including those who may prefer a schedule of three days a week, which equates to earning a steady income while maintaining a favorable work-life balance. Typically employed in various settings such as general dentistry operatories, public health clinics, and pediatric offices, dental hygienists can anticipate an hourly range from $41.68 for entry-level positions to $68.36 for the highest earners. These estimates derive from annual salary data and provide a glimpse into the potential earnings for those considering a career in dental hygiene within this Colorado city.
About the Commerce City Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($107,733) adjusted for local cost of living.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41.68 | $333.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45.95 | $367.63 |
| Median (P50) | $53.88 | $431.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59.42 | $475.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68.36 | $546.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Commerce City
Based on $53.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $53.88/hr, a dental hygienist working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Commerce City, CO can expect to earn approximately $112,062 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $64,651. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Commerce City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Commerce City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,155.05 | $9,339 | $112,062 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,293.03 | $5,603 | $67,237 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $862.02 | $3,735 | $44,825 |
Compare RDH Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienist (Commerce City) | $53.88 |
| 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 Commerce City, CO earn a median of $112,062 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.86% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 3.00% below the Colorado state average of $115,528.
Dental Hygienist Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $53.88/hr = $67,237/year (purchasing power: $64,036).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $112,062/year (purchasing power: $106,726).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2020 BLS Actual
$41.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$51.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$53.88/hr
2020–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Commerce City (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $41.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $44.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $45.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $47.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $51.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dental hygienists in Commerce City grew 23.9% from $41.44/hr (2020) to $51.34/hr (2025). At a 4.94% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.54/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 Commerce City 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 Commerce City
Analyzing the earning potential for dental hygienists reveals that those working part-time, for instance, a hygienist on a three-day workweek, would take home a lower annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. For per diem positions, rates often range from $40 to $60 per hour through temp agencies, which can fluctuate significantly based on location and demand—larger metropolitan areas and higher cost of living cities sometimes offering up to $85 per hour. Employers vary from solo dental practices to larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Pacific Dental or Aspen, each potentially affecting hourly wages. In Commerce City, hygienists may opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for comprehensive health benefits, which is a trade-off that requires careful consideration. Practical tips for negotiation include researching typical rates for different employer types and understanding one’s worth in the local market, especially with trends pointing towards higher demand and a projected growth rate of 4.94% annually.
More salary data for Commerce City, CO:
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 Commerce City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Commerce City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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