Dental Hygienist Salary in Wildwood, FL: $97,489 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Wildwood, FL earns a median $97,489/year (≈ $46.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Wildwood's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 85.4), that paycheck buys what $114,124 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Wildwood, Florida, can anticipate a median annual salary of $97,489, reflecting a competitive position in the state's job market. With salaries ranging from $77,750 at the lower end to $105,874 for highly experienced professionals, this data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reveals that dental hygienist pay in Wildwood FL is closely aligned with local economic conditions. When comparing this figure to the national median of $102,946, Wildwood's compensation is approximately 5.30% lower, which may factor into regional attractiveness for both current professionals and new graduates entering the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,750 | $37.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,669 | $40.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,489 | $46.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,934 | $48.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,874 | $50.91 |
Median Salary Position
5.3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wildwood
In Wildwood, FL, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,124 (2026 est.). At $97,489, the local median is 5.3% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wildwood: You'd be above the median
How Wildwood Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Wildwood median: $97,489/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wildwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $96,333 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -5.30% less |
Dental Hygienists in Wildwood, FL earn a median of $97,489 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.30% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.20% above the Florida state average of $96,333.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wildwood has a cost of living 14.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wildwood, FL has a cost-of-living index of 85.424 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $97,489 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,124 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.06% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$73,004
2025 BLS Actual
$92,900
2026 Current Est.
$97,489
2020–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Wildwood (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $73,004 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,686 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,085 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,900 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,489 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,305 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wildwood metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 27.3% from $73,004 (2020) to $92,900 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,305 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,301 (40.14%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wildwood 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $77,750 – $83,669 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,669 – $97,489 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,489 – $99,934 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,934 – $105,874 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Wildwood
The job market for dental hygienists in Wildwood remains robust, with 80 hygienists employed in the area, creating opportunities for aspiring professionals. The cost of living index stands at 85.424, suggesting that the purchasing power for these salaries is favorable when considering daily expenses. Among local employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) tend to offer the highest compensation, often including benefits that private practices might not provide. Variations in salary are influenced by factors such as production-based bonuses linked to patient retention and the differing employment structures found in private vs. DSO settings. For those seeking to maximize their dental hygienist salary in Wildwood, FL, considering roles within DSOs and negotiating benefits packages can lead to significant financial advantages.
More salary data for Wildwood, FL:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $92,900 for dental hygienistsin the Wildwood metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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