Dental Hygienist Salary in Salina, KS: $90,550 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Salina, KS earns a median $90,550/year (≈ $43.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Salina's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $99,615 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $90,550 in Salina, Kansas, the dental hygienist salary landscape reflects a competitive market for this profession. The salary range spans from $74,965 at the 10th percentile to $109,197 at the 90th percentile, indicating varying compensation levels across different employment settings. These figures are local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. Given that only 11 dental hygienists work in Salina, the relatively low number of professionals suggests a niche market that may offer opportunities for growth as demand for dental hygiene services continues to rise.
About the Salina Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($80,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,965 | $36.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,374 | $38.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,550 | $43.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,781 | $46.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,197 | $52.50 |
Median Salary Position
12.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salina
In Salina, KS, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,232 (2026 est.). At $90,550, the local median is 12.04% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salina: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salina Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Salina median: $90,550/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salina Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $93,543 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -12.04% less |
Dental Hygienists in Salina, KS earn a median of $90,550 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.04% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.20% below the Kansas state average of $93,543.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salina has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salina, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $90,550 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,615 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$67,148
2025 BLS Actual
$86,287
2026 Current Est.
$90,550
2020–2027 Growth
+41.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Salina (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $67,148 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,521 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,821 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,914 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,611 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,287 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,550 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,023 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salina metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 28.5% from $67,148 (2020) to $86,287 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,023 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,875 (41.51%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salina 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) | $74,965 – $80,374 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,374 – $90,550 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,550 – $96,781 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,781 – $109,197 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Salina
In Salina, the cost of living index is positioned at 90.9, which is below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of dental hygienists in the area. Competitive pay is influenced by varying employment types, with Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often offering the highest salaries, including bonuses and benefits that may not be available in independent practices. Effective strategies for increasing earnings in Salina KS may involve seeking employment in multi-doctor group practices or DSOs that provide comprehensive benefits, such as health insurance and lucrative sign-on bonuses. Additionally, the disparity in salaries can often be tied to production-based incentives and the regional demand for services. Navigating the unique job market in Salina requires attention to work schedules and additional production-focused opportunities to optimize income potential.
More salary data for Salina, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Salina?
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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 $86,287 for dental hygienistsin the Salina 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
Salary data for Salina 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