Dental Hygienist Salary by State (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries vary significantly by state. The national median is $102,946/year, but top-paying states like Alaska offer averages of $138,257. Below you'll find 2025 BLS salary data for all 52 states and 1685+ metro areas, with 213,421 dental hygienists employed in metropolitan areas.
2020 BLS
$77,090
2025 BLS
$98,100
2026 Current Est.
$102,946
2020–2027 Growth
+40.1%
National Salary Trend Overview
2020–2025: BLS OEWS actual data. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Median Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $77,090 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,946 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,032 | Projected |
The national median dental hygienist salary has shown consistent growth across multiple BLS reporting years. This trend provides context for evaluating state-by-state salary differences below.
Note: BLS actual data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. Estimated and projected values are calculated using a 4.94% historical CAGR. Actual compensation may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Highest vs Lowest Paying States
Top 10 Highest-Paying Cities
| Rank | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oakland, CA | $157,515 |
| 2 | Fremont, CA | $154,040 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $154,010 |
| 4 | Sunnyvale, CA | $150,355 |
| 5 | Santa Clara, CA | $149,367 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $146,906 |
| 7 | Santa Rosa, CA | $142,939 |
| 8 | Santa Maria, CA | $142,708 |
| 9 | Bellevue, WA | $141,723 |
| 10 | Petaluma, CA | $141,572 |
Dental Hygienist Salary in Every State
Alaska
5 cities
avg median
Washington
50 cities
avg median
California
158 cities
avg median
Oregon
36 cities
avg median
District of Columbia
1 cities
avg median
Colorado
33 cities
avg median
Maryland
28 cities
avg median
Nevada
9 cities
avg median
Minnesota
44 cities
avg median
New Jersey
61 cities
avg median
New York
39 cities
avg median
Arizona
33 cities
avg median
Massachusetts
59 cities
avg median
Hawaii
10 cities
avg median
Virginia
42 cities
avg median
New Hampshire
16 cities
avg median
Connecticut
29 cities
avg median
Texas
109 cities
avg median
Montana
7 cities
avg median
Vermont
9 cities
avg median
Oklahoma
27 cities
avg median
Delaware
6 cities
avg median
Maine
10 cities
avg median
North Carolina
45 cities
avg median
Wisconsin
46 cities
avg median
Illinois
65 cities
avg median
Idaho
16 cities
avg median
Georgia
40 cities
avg median
New Mexico
17 cities
avg median
Nebraska
13 cities
avg median
Missouri
33 cities
avg median
South Dakota
11 cities
avg median
Indiana
43 cities
avg median
Ohio
67 cities
avg median
Utah
41 cities
avg median
Rhode Island
17 cities
avg median
Florida
87 cities
avg median
Kansas
22 cities
avg median
Pennsylvania
25 cities
avg median
Louisiana
20 cities
avg median
Wyoming
14 cities
avg median
Iowa
26 cities
avg median
North Dakota
8 cities
avg median
Arkansas
21 cities
avg median
Tennessee
30 cities
avg median
South Carolina
26 cities
avg median
Michigan
54 cities
avg median
Kentucky
21 cities
avg median
Mississippi
20 cities
avg median
West Virginia
11 cities
avg median
Alabama
24 cities
avg median
Puerto Rico
1 cities
avg median
Dental Hygienist Pay by State: Key Trends
Geographic salary patterns for dental hygienists follow consistent trends. The West Coast and Northeast corridors lead nationally, driven by higher cost of living, stronger unionization rates among employers, and state laws that grant expanded scope of practice. States like Alaska and Washington pay well above the national median of $102,946, but housing and commuting costs offset a portion of that premium.
Cost-of-living adjustment tells a different story. When purchasing power is factored in, some mid-tier states in the Midwest and Mountain West regions become surprisingly competitive. A dental hygienist earning $104,660 in a state with a cost-of-living index of 90 may have more discretionary income than one earning $138,257 in a state with a 130 index.
Urban vs. rural salary differences remain significant within states. Metropolitan areas consistently pay 15-50% more than non-metro regions depending on the state, reflecting both higher demand and cost-of-living adjustments. However, rural areas often struggle with dental hygienist shortages, which can create temporary wage spikes and relocation incentives worth considering.
Dental Hygienist Salary USA: Regional Comparison
Dental Hygienist salary by state grouped into four census regions. The West leads with the highest average, while the South trails — though the gap narrows considerably when adjusted for cost of living.
More Salary Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a dental hygienist make a year?
Which state pays dental hygienists the most?
What is the average dental hygienist salary by state?
Do dental hygienists make good money in every state?
What state has the lowest dental hygienist salary?
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.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. We applied a 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS trends, to estimate current 2026 compensation.