Pay statement · 2026
Dental Hygienist
United States · gross annual · USD
- Entry level
- $74,880
- Median
- $98,100
- Senior
- $126,050
- Hourly (median)
- $47
- Monthly (median)
- $8,175
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
BLS counts about 222,740 employees in this job in the US (May 2025).
- Global rank
- 1 / 3
- countries, by USD median
- Typical route in
- Certification
- Years to median
- 5
- Demand
- Growing demand
Dental Hygienist pay by experience in the United States
| Level | Per year | Per month | Per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry level | $74,880 | $6,240 | $36 |
| Median | $98,100 | $8,175 | $47 |
| Senior | $126,050 | $10,500 | $60.50 |
Read this number right
What the pay on this page includes, and what it leaves out, in the United States.
- What the official figure counts
- BLS wages are straight-time gross pay: base pay, cost-of-living allowances, commissions, production bonuses and tips, but not overtime, shift differentials, non-production bonuses or employer-paid benefits. Yearly figures are the hourly rate times 2,080 hours. (BLS OEWS, technical notes)
- How pay is quoted
- Pay is quoted per year or per hour, usually paid every two weeks. Federal law requires no paid vacation or paid holidays, so a salary says nothing about paid leave. (U.S. Department of Labor, Vacation Leave)
- Extra payments
- Non-exempt employees must get time and a half for hours over 40 in a week; overtime is not in the yearly figure. (U.S. Department of Labor, Overtime Pay)
- On top of salary
- Benefits are a big part of US pay: in private industry they were 30% of what employers spent per hour worked in June 2026 (wages and salaries the other 70%). A 401(k) match is voluntary. (BLS, Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, June 2026)
Is this a good salary in the United States?
- The median for dental hygienists here, $98,100, is 1.9 times the pay of the typical full-time worker in the United States: $50,980 a year (median for all jobs, hourly pay times 2,080 hours). (BLS OEWS, May 2025)
- It is 6.5 times full-time pay at the minimum wage: $7.25 an hour, or about $15,080 a year for a 40-hour week. (U.S. Department of Labor, federal minimum wage (many states set a higher one))
Take-home pay on the median salary
What $98,100 a year leaves after income tax and employee contributions in the United States, 2026 tax year, for a single person with no other income.
| Gross pay | $98,100 |
|---|---|
| Federal income tax | -$12,752 |
| Social Security | -$6,082 |
| Medicare | -$1,422 |
| Take-home a year | $77,843 |
| Take-home a month | $6,487 |
About 21% of gross pay goes in tax and contributions.
- Federal income tax for a single filer with the standard deduction, plus employee Social Security and Medicare.
- Federal taxes only until you pick a state above: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington and Wyoming have no state income tax on wages. City and county income taxes are not included.
- Before 401(k) and health insurance contributions.
- An estimate from the official rates, not tax advice. Sources: IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 (2026 brackets and standard deduction); IRS Publication 15 (2026); IRS Topic 560, Additional Medicare Tax. How we work it out.
Dental Hygienists in the United States: the local picture
Dental practices set hygienists' pay, so it varies widely by state and practice. BLS puts the national median at $98,100 a year, or $47.16 an hour, with the District of Columbia highest at $137,220 and Alabama lowest at $61,160 (May 2025). BLS notes that many dental hygienists work part time, so the hourly rate is often the more useful figure when comparing offers.
Every state requires a license. The usual route is an associate degree from an accredited dental hygiene program, which BLS says usually takes 3 years, followed by written and clinical examinations. What a hygienist may do without a dentist present, such as giving local anesthesia, is set by each state's dental board, so it is worth checking before you move.
BLS projects dental hygienist jobs to grow 8% from 2025 to 2035, from about 225,300 to 243,200.
Checked against the sources on 27 October 2026: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025, dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292), national and state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook: Dental Hygienists. How we write these notes.
Dental Hygienist salary by state
Alaska pays dental hygienists the highest median of any state, at $132,690 a year, and Alabama the lowest, at $61,160. The District of Columbia is higher still, at $137,220. The "at US prices" column divides each median by the state's price level, so you can compare what the pay buys: a dental hygienist's median goes furthest in Alaska, where it is worth $129,600 at national-average prices, and least far in Alabama ($68,900). The "vs all jobs" column compares each figure with the median for all jobs in that state.
| State | Median a year | An hour | At US prices | vs all jobs | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1District of Columbia | $137,220 | $65.97 | $124,900 | +50% | 320 |
| 2Alaska | $132,690 | $63.79 | $129,600 | +118% | 790 |
| 3Washington | $131,160 | $63.06 | $122,600 | +108% | 6,330 |
| 4California | $124,930 | $60.06 | $112,800 | +115% | 24,500 |
| 5Oregon | $122,080 | $58.69 | $118,100 | +114% | 3,600 |
| 6Nevada | $115,290 | $55.43 | $115,300 | +142% | 1,510 |
| 7Colorado | $109,580 | $52.68 | $106,300 | +83% | 4,270 |
| 8Maryland | $107,830 | $51.84 | $102,700 | +81% | 3,500 |
| 9New Jersey | $107,040 | $51.46 | $98,400 | +83% | 7,230 |
| 10New York | $106,130 | $51.03 | $98,300 | +78% | 13,660 |
Show the other 40
| State | Median a year | An hour | At US prices | vs all jobs | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11Minnesota | $103,970 | $49.99 | $105,400 | +83% | 4,110 |
| 12Virginia | $102,950 | $49.50 | $101,800 | +85% | 3,770 |
| 13New Hampshire | $101,250 | $48.68 | $97,200 | +81% | 1,360 |
| 14Arizona | $101,010 | $48.56 | $100,300 | +102% | 4,530 |
| 15Connecticut | $100,690 | $48.41 | $97,200 | +69% | 3,240 |
| 16Massachusetts | $100,640 | $48.39 | $95,200 | +58% | 6,850 |
| 17Texas | $99,240 | $47.71 | $102,200 | +104% | 16,380 |
| 18Delaware | $98,910 | $47.55 | $99,100 | +90% | 750 |
| 19Montana | $98,440 | $47.33 | $104,000 | +102% | 860 |
| 20North Carolina | $97,850 | $47.04 | $103,700 | +104% | 6,690 |
| 21Maine | $97,680 | $46.96 | $100,600 | +90% | 1,060 |
| 22Oklahoma | $97,580 | $46.91 | $111,100 | +114% | 2,860 |
| 23Hawaii | $97,570 | $46.91 | $88,700 | +73% | 830 |
| 24Vermont | $97,470 | $46.86 | $99,500 | +73% | 560 |
| 25Illinois | $96,670 | $46.48 | $96,700 | +86% | 8,970 |
| 26Wisconsin | $96,540 | $46.41 | $102,600 | +92% | 5,080 |
| 27New Mexico | $95,940 | $46.12 | $104,000 | +103% | 1,420 |
| 28Georgia | $95,490 | $45.91 | $99,200 | +98% | 7,440 |
| 29Idaho | $94,650 | $45.51 | $99,100 | +97% | 2,060 |
| 30Missouri | $92,750 | $44.59 | $102,100 | +94% | 3,810 |
| 31Nebraska | $92,580 | $44.51 | $102,700 | +89% | 1,280 |
| 32Indiana | $92,330 | $44.39 | $98,900 | +93% | 5,020 |
| 33South Dakota | $92,210 | $44.33 | $104,100 | +96% | 630 |
| 34Florida | $91,980 | $44.22 | $88,900 | +92% | 11,980 |
| 35Utah | $91,120 | $43.81 | $92,200 | +82% | 3,780 |
| 36North Dakota | $90,530 | $43.53 | $101,800 | +73% | 660 |
| 37Ohio | $88,990 | $42.78 | $95,900 | +80% | 8,630 |
| 38Rhode Island | $86,910 | $41.78 | $85,000 | +53% | 770 |
| 39Arkansas | $86,760 | $41.71 | $99,800 | +99% | 1,740 |
| 40Louisiana | $85,240 | $40.98 | $96,600 | +87% | 2,690 |
| 41Wyoming | $85,130 | $40.93 | $91,800 | +69% | 500 |
| 42Tennessee | $84,640 | $40.69 | $92,100 | +79% | 4,570 |
| 43South Carolina | $84,340 | $40.55 | $90,000 | +81% | 3,160 |
| 44Iowa | $84,010 | $40.39 | $95,700 | +73% | 2,440 |
| 45Michigan | $83,790 | $40.28 | $87,100 | +70% | 8,640 |
| 46Pennsylvania | $80,610 | $38.76 | $82,600 | +62% | 7,970 |
| 47Kentucky | $78,830 | $37.90 | $87,400 | +68% | 2,070 |
| 48West Virginia | $73,840 | $35.50 | $82,500 | +63% | 1,250 |
| 49Mississippi | $67,280 | $32.35 | $77,400 | +68% | 1,140 |
| 50Alabama | $61,160 | $29.41 | $68,900 | +34% | 3,170 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 state estimates (SOC 29-1292), published 15 May 2026. Employees only: the self-employed aren't counted. States with few dental hygienists can show unusual figures, and states where BLS doesn't publish a figure are left out. "At US prices": the median divided by the state's price level from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024 (all items, US = 100), rounded to $100. It adjusts for prices, not taxes, and uses the state average, so a big city will cost more than its state. Medians at the BLS top code are not adjusted. How we use these figures.
Dental Hygienist salary by city
Of the 20 metro areas with the most dental hygienists, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA pays the highest median, $146,760 a year, and Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL the lowest, at $82,780. Across the 287 metro areas with at least 100 dental hygienists, the top median is in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA ($146,760) and the lowest in Dothan, AL ($58,310). The "vs US" column compares each city with the national median of $98,100.
| Metro area | Median a year | An hour | vs US | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $109,720 | $52.75 | +12% | 14,230 |
| 2Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $122,980 | $59.12 | +25% | 7,940 |
| 3Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $101,870 | $48.98 | +4% | 7,050 |
| 4Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $100,260 | $48.20 | +2% | 6,470 |
| 5Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $101,990 | $49.03 | +4% | 5,150 |
| 6Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $100,370 | $48.26 | +2% | 4,710 |
| 7Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $100,820 | $48.47 | +3% | 4,180 |
| 8Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $84,480 | $40.61 | -14% | 3,780 |
| 9San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $146,760 | $70.56 | +50% | 3,780 |
| 10Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $133,740 | $64.30 | +36% | 3,500 |
| 11Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $82,780 | $39.80 | -16% | 3,460 |
| 12Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $102,520 | $49.29 | +5% | 3,240 |
| 13Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $104,930 | $50.45 | +7% | 3,060 |
| 14Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $112,630 | $54.15 | +15% | 2,590 |
| 15Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $123,100 | $59.18 | +25% | 2,380 |
| 16Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $122,540 | $58.92 | +25% | 2,200 |
| 17Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $119,170 | $57.30 | +21% | 2,200 |
| 18St. Louis, MO-IL | $97,650 | $46.95 | +0% | 2,150 |
| 19Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $113,760 | $54.69 | +16% | 2,100 |
| 20San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $123,790 | $59.52 | +26% | 1,940 |
All 378 metro areas, A to Z
| Metro area | Median a year | An hour | vs US | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abilene, TX | $93,600 | $45.00 | -5% | 70 |
| Akron, OH | $82,970 | $39.89 | -15% | 460 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $98,030 | $47.13 | +0% | 730 |
| Albany, GA | $79,230 | $38.09 | -19% | 90 |
| Albany, OR | $111,380 | $53.55 | +14% | 80 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $95,900 | $46.10 | -2% | 810 |
| Alexandria, LA | $80,330 | $38.62 | -18% | 80 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $82,060 | $39.45 | -16% | 530 |
| Altoona, PA | $75,070 | $36.09 | -23% | 90 |
| Amarillo, TX | $84,990 | $40.86 | -13% | 180 |
| Ames, IA | $89,130 | $42.85 | -9% | 80 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $97,940 | $47.09 | +0% | 130 |
| Anchorage, AK | $132,740 | $63.82 | +35% | 490 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $91,900 | $44.18 | -6% | 360 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $56,950 | $27.38 | -42% | 70 |
| Appleton, WI | $96,350 | $46.32 | -2% | 240 |
| Asheville, NC | $101,170 | $48.64 | +3% | 300 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $81,830 | $39.34 | -17% | 130 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $100,370 | $48.26 | +2% | 4,710 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $101,180 | $48.65 | +3% | 230 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $60,490 | $29.08 | -38% | 90 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $79,840 | $38.39 | -19% | 370 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $105,480 | $50.71 | +8% | 1,270 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $114,380 | $54.99 | +17% | 340 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $116,130 | $55.83 | +18% | 1,900 |
| Bangor, ME | $88,450 | $42.53 | -10% | 130 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $101,820 | $48.95 | +4% | 190 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $92,700 | $44.57 | -6% | 410 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $79,700 | $38.32 | -19% | 80 |
| Bay City, MI | $79,920 | $38.42 | -19% | 90 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $97,350 | $46.80 | -1% | 150 |
| Beckley, WV | $64,730 | $31.12 | -34% | 100 |
| Bellingham, WA | $124,850 | $60.02 | +27% | 150 |
| Bend, OR | $119,650 | $57.52 | +22% | 230 |
| Billings, MT | $99,410 | $47.79 | +1% | 160 |
| Binghamton, NY | $81,640 | $39.25 | -17% | 190 |
| Birmingham, AL | $61,730 | $29.68 | -37% | 1,150 |
| Bismarck, ND | $91,600 | $44.04 | -7% | 130 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $90,550 | $43.53 | -8% | 70 |
| Bloomington, IL | $78,220 | $37.61 | -20% | 130 |
| Bloomington, IN | $86,280 | $41.48 | -12% | 130 |
| Boise City, ID | $94,650 | $45.51 | -4% | 1,020 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $101,990 | $49.03 | +4% | 5,150 |
| Boulder, CO | $130,000 | $62.50 | +33% | 300 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $75,690 | $36.39 | -23% | 120 |
| Bozeman, MT | $104,650 | $50.31 | +7% | 110 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $131,040 | $63.00 | +34% | 190 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $103,390 | $49.71 | +5% | 850 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $82,860 | $39.84 | -16% | 120 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $81,470 | $39.17 | -17% | 90 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $82,470 | $39.65 | -16% | 760 |
| Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $98,330 | $47.28 | +0% | 250 |
| Burlington, NC | $97,210 | $46.73 | -1% | 100 |
| Canton-Massillon, OH | $83,180 | $39.99 | -15% | 270 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $91,120 | $43.81 | -7% | 350 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $83,690 | $40.24 | -15% | 80 |
| Carson City, NV | $121,500 | $58.42 | +24% | 60 |
| Casper, WY | $90,620 | $43.57 | -8% | 70 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $82,270 | $39.55 | -16% | 200 |
| Chambersburg, PA | $80,450 | $38.68 | -18% | 80 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $81,110 | $39.00 | -17% | 170 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $94,570 | $45.46 | -4% | 540 |
| Charleston, WV | $65,520 | $31.50 | -33% | 260 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $98,390 | $47.30 | +0% | 1,910 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $107,690 | $51.78 | +10% | 120 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $83,460 | $40.12 | -15% | 460 |
| Cheyenne, WY | $85,220 | $40.97 | -13% | 110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $100,260 | $48.20 | +2% | 6,470 |
| Chico, CA | $118,800 | $57.12 | +21% | 150 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $102,940 | $49.49 | +5% | 1,700 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $81,260 | $39.07 | -17% | 200 |
| Cleveland, OH | $88,990 | $42.78 | -9% | 1,790 |
| Cleveland, TN | $79,880 | $38.40 | -19% | 90 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $99,650 | $47.91 | +2% | 180 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $96,260 | $46.28 | -2% | 120 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $118,410 | $56.93 | +21% | 500 |
| Columbia, MO | $86,300 | $41.49 | -12% | 140 |
| Columbia, SC | $82,370 | $39.60 | -16% | 620 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $80,240 | $38.58 | -18% | 240 |
| Columbus, IN | $84,810 | $40.78 | -14% | 70 |
| Columbus, OH | $96,880 | $46.58 | -1% | 1,700 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $84,210 | $40.49 | -14% | 150 |
| Corvallis, OR | $114,450 | $55.02 | +17% | 70 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $88,030 | $42.32 | -10% | 170 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $101,870 | $48.98 | +4% | 7,050 |
| Dalton, GA | $82,010 | $39.43 | -16% | 100 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $61,000 | $29.33 | -38% | 160 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $82,000 | $39.42 | -16% | 280 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $84,500 | $40.62 | -14% | 620 |
| Decatur, AL | $61,340 | $29.49 | -37% | 80 |
| Decatur, IL | $80,930 | $38.91 | -18% | 60 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $79,050 | $38.01 | -19% | 230 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $113,760 | $54.69 | +16% | 2,100 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $93,660 | $45.03 | -5% | 750 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $84,480 | $40.61 | -14% | 3,780 |
| Dothan, AL | $58,310 | $28.04 | -41% | 100 |
| Dover, DE | $96,730 | $46.51 | -1% | 130 |
| Dubuque, IA | $81,410 | $39.14 | -17% | 110 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $98,600 | $47.41 | +1% | 220 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $101,460 | $48.78 | +3% | 350 |
| Eau Claire, WI | $86,830 | $41.74 | -11% | 180 |
| El Centro, CA | $115,870 | $55.71 | +18% | 40 |
| El Paso, TX | $84,660 | $40.70 | -14% | 320 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $64,620 | $31.07 | -34% | 70 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $92,050 | $44.26 | -6% | 160 |
| Elmira, NY | $73,210 | $35.20 | -25% | 40 |
| Erie, PA | $77,360 | $37.19 | -21% | 140 |
| Eugene-Springfield, OR | $106,600 | $51.25 | +9% | 340 |
| Evansville, IN | $82,800 | $39.81 | -16% | 200 |
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $131,860 | $63.40 | +34% | 70 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $84,390 | $40.57 | -14% | 240 |
| Farmington, NM | $90,420 | $43.47 | -8% | 120 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $87,210 | $41.93 | -11% | 410 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $93,330 | $44.87 | -5% | 220 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | $101,220 | $48.67 | +3% | 90 |
| Flint, MI | $81,500 | $39.18 | -17% | 440 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $58,660 | $28.20 | -40% | 80 |
| Florence, SC | $81,200 | $39.04 | -17% | 110 |
| Fond du Lac, WI | $93,150 | $44.78 | -5% | 90 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $106,650 | $51.27 | +9% | 450 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $84,480 | $40.62 | -14% | 150 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $86,120 | $41.40 | -12% | 460 |
| Fresno, CA | $101,730 | $48.91 | +4% | 530 |
| Gadsden, AL | $55,840 | $26.85 | -43% | 60 |
| Gainesville, FL | $84,750 | $40.74 | -14% | 240 |
| Gainesville, GA | $92,840 | $44.64 | -5% | 160 |
| Gettysburg, PA | $82,920 | $39.86 | -15% | 40 |
| Glens Falls, NY | $85,220 | $40.97 | -13% | 90 |
| Goldsboro, NC | $83,350 | $40.07 | -15% | 70 |
| Grand Island, NE | $85,660 | $41.18 | -13% | 60 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $98,910 | $47.55 | +1% | 170 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $84,290 | $40.52 | -14% | 1,160 |
| Grants Pass, OR | $116,210 | $55.87 | +18% | 60 |
| Great Falls, MT | $94,460 | $45.41 | -4% | 90 |
| Greeley, CO | $110,080 | $52.92 | +12% | 140 |
| Green Bay, WI | $91,920 | $44.19 | -6% | 340 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $84,250 | $40.51 | -14% | 390 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $85,290 | $41.01 | -13% | 600 |
| Greenville, NC | $93,790 | $45.09 | -4% | 110 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $73,500 | $35.34 | -25% | 160 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $83,460 | $40.13 | -15% | 170 |
| Hammond, LA | $81,840 | $39.35 | -17% | 70 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $113,160 | $54.41 | +15% | 80 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $84,100 | $40.43 | -14% | 390 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $100,620 | $48.37 | +3% | 100 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $98,950 | $47.57 | +1% | 1,170 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $65,360 | $31.42 | -33% | 90 |
| Helena, MT | $98,200 | $47.21 | +0% | 80 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $94,050 | $45.21 | -4% | 170 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $90,660 | $43.59 | -8% | 160 |
| Hinesville, GA | $86,340 | $41.51 | -12% | 30 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $81,810 | $39.33 | -17% | 50 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $82,970 | $39.89 | -15% | 70 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $81,800 | $39.33 | -17% | 120 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $104,930 | $50.45 | +7% | 3,060 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $73,470 | $35.32 | -25% | 180 |
| Huntsville, AL | $62,370 | $29.98 | -36% | 360 |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $95,700 | $46.01 | -2% | 210 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $97,470 | $46.86 | -1% | 1,780 |
| Iowa City, IA | $92,020 | $44.24 | -6% | 120 |
| Ithaca, NY | $96,620 | $46.45 | -2% | 60 |
| Jackson, MI | $78,990 | $37.98 | -19% | 110 |
| Jackson, MS | $67,270 | $32.34 | -31% | 320 |
| Jackson, TN | $82,750 | $39.78 | -16% | 110 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $94,960 | $45.65 | -3% | 1,110 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $82,380 | $39.61 | -16% | 120 |
| Janesville-Beloit, WI | $96,200 | $46.25 | -2% | 120 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $85,290 | $41.01 | -13% | 80 |
| Johnson City, TN | $80,070 | $38.49 | -18% | 140 |
| Johnstown, PA | $74,450 | $35.79 | -24% | 60 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $86,650 | $41.66 | -12% | 80 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $83,270 | $40.03 | -15% | 120 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $104,080 | $50.04 | +6% | 100 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $79,670 | $38.30 | -19% | 250 |
| Kankakee, IL | $78,430 | $37.71 | -20% | 50 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $92,750 | $44.59 | -5% | 1,800 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $122,480 | $58.88 | +25% | 270 |
| Kenosha, WI | $96,620 | $46.45 | -2% | 100 |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | $97,140 | $46.70 | -1% | 190 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $82,870 | $39.84 | -16% | 210 |
| Kingston, NY | $98,880 | $47.54 | +1% | 90 |
| Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $100,600 | $48.37 | +3% | 450 |
| Knoxville, TN | $84,640 | $40.69 | -14% | 590 |
| Kokomo, IN | $94,230 | $45.30 | -4% | 80 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $95,950 | $46.13 | -2% | 150 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $91,750 | $44.11 | -6% | 150 |
| Lafayette, LA | $81,900 | $39.38 | -17% | 200 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $84,080 | $40.42 | -14% | 120 |
| Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $102,790 | $49.42 | +5% | 250 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $93,080 | $44.75 | -5% | 290 |
| Lancaster, PA | $80,810 | $38.85 | -18% | 370 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $90,710 | $43.61 | -8% | 450 |
| Laredo, TX | $82,440 | $39.63 | -16% | 90 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $82,120 | $39.48 | -16% | 120 |
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $109,210 | $52.51 | +11% | 950 |
| Lawton, OK | $92,210 | $44.33 | -6% | 70 |
| Lebanon, PA | $80,270 | $38.59 | -18% | 60 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $98,450 | $47.33 | +0% | 60 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $104,460 | $50.22 | +6% | 130 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $80,110 | $38.51 | -18% | 410 |
| Lima, OH | $78,530 | $37.75 | -20% | 70 |
| Lincoln, NE | $95,100 | $45.72 | -3% | 280 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $89,160 | $42.87 | -9% | 490 |
| Logan, UT-ID | $81,540 | $39.20 | -17% | 150 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $123,020 | $59.14 | +25% | 100 |
| Longview, TX | $81,920 | $39.39 | -16% | 110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $122,980 | $59.12 | +25% | 7,940 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $81,390 | $39.13 | -17% | 780 |
| Lubbock, TX | $86,340 | $41.51 | -12% | 170 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $96,990 | $46.63 | -1% | 120 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $79,260 | $38.11 | -19% | 120 |
| Madison, WI | $100,340 | $48.24 | +2% | 680 |
| Manchester-Nashua, NH | $100,330 | $48.24 | +2% | 430 |
| Mankato, MN | $100,260 | $48.20 | +2% | 80 |
| Mansfield, OH | $84,640 | $40.69 | -14% | 90 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $82,940 | $39.87 | -15% | 210 |
| Medford, OR | $110,200 | $52.98 | +12% | 210 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $78,580 | $37.78 | -20% | 650 |
| Merced, CA | $117,400 | $56.44 | +20% | 100 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $82,780 | $39.80 | -16% | 3,460 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $80,640 | $38.77 | -18% | 60 |
| Midland, MI | $82,160 | $39.50 | -16% | 110 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $98,780 | $47.49 | +1% | 1,360 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $112,630 | $54.15 | +15% | 2,590 |
| Minot, ND | $89,800 | $43.18 | -8% | 60 |
| Missoula, MT | $98,050 | $47.14 | +0% | 130 |
| Mobile, AL | $60,710 | $29.19 | -38% | 200 |
| Modesto, CA | $123,910 | $59.57 | +26% | 390 |
| Monroe, LA | $79,530 | $38.24 | -19% | 160 |
| Monroe, MI | $78,660 | $37.82 | -20% | 60 |
| Montgomery, AL | $60,120 | $28.91 | -39% | 190 |
| Morgantown, WV | $73,840 | $35.50 | -25% | 120 |
| Morristown, TN | $81,040 | $38.96 | -17% | 70 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $127,470 | $61.28 | +30% | 130 |
| Muncie, IN | $91,060 | $43.78 | -7% | 70 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $79,660 | $38.30 | -19% | 90 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $80,900 | $38.90 | -18% | 210 |
| Napa, CA | $131,370 | $63.16 | +34% | 100 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $100,140 | $48.14 | +2% | 190 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $94,030 | $45.21 | -4% | 1,490 |
| New Haven, CT | $98,170 | $47.20 | +0% | 470 |
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $93,650 | $45.02 | -5% | 840 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $109,720 | $52.75 | +12% | 14,230 |
| Niles, MI | $80,020 | $38.47 | -18% | 100 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $95,930 | $46.12 | -2% | 610 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $98,630 | $47.42 | +1% | 230 |
| Ocala, FL | $83,260 | $40.03 | -15% | 150 |
| Ogden, UT | $85,330 | $41.03 | -13% | 740 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $97,110 | $46.69 | -1% | 1,420 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $122,950 | $59.11 | +25% | 220 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $94,170 | $45.27 | -4% | 580 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $92,560 | $44.50 | -6% | 1,490 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $93,850 | $45.12 | -4% | 130 |
| Owensboro, KY | $75,490 | $36.29 | -23% | 80 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $126,530 | $60.83 | +29% | 500 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $79,610 | $38.28 | -19% | 90 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $95,400 | $45.86 | -3% | 390 |
| Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $87,360 | $42.00 | -11% | 100 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $74,190 | $35.67 | -24% | 70 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $81,780 | $39.32 | -17% | 250 |
| Peoria, IL | $77,870 | $37.44 | -21% | 270 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $100,820 | $48.47 | +3% | 4,180 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $102,520 | $49.29 | +5% | 3,240 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $95,900 | $46.11 | -2% | 70 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $75,960 | $36.52 | -23% | 1,580 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $97,980 | $47.11 | +0% | 100 |
| Pocatello, ID | $93,060 | $44.74 | -5% | 110 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $94,060 | $45.22 | -4% | 440 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $98,880 | $47.54 | +1% | 500 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $123,100 | $59.18 | +25% | 2,380 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $98,050 | $47.14 | +0% | 190 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $89,310 | $42.94 | -9% | 1,250 |
| Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $92,000 | $44.23 | -6% | 930 |
| Pueblo, CO | $98,700 | $47.45 | +1% | 140 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $94,740 | $45.55 | -3% | 70 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $95,310 | $45.82 | -3% | 160 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $98,800 | $47.50 | +1% | 1,220 |
| Rapid City, SD | $91,890 | $44.18 | -6% | 120 |
| Reading, PA | $80,300 | $38.61 | -18% | 220 |
| Redding, CA | $118,130 | $56.79 | +20% | 130 |
| Reno, NV | $117,850 | $56.66 | +20% | 390 |
| Richmond, VA | $104,250 | $50.12 | +6% | 780 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $105,730 | $50.83 | +8% | 1,860 |
| Roanoke, VA | $98,550 | $47.38 | +0% | 170 |
| Rochester, MN | $103,440 | $49.73 | +5% | 180 |
| Rochester, NY | $93,650 | $45.02 | -5% | 940 |
| Rockford, IL | $86,120 | $41.40 | -12% | 370 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $88,390 | $42.49 | -10% | 50 |
| Rome, GA | $83,200 | $40.00 | -15% | 70 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $122,540 | $58.92 | +25% | 2,200 |
| Saginaw, MI | $79,400 | $38.18 | -19% | 160 |
| Salem, OR | $119,050 | $57.24 | +21% | 300 |
| Salinas, CA | $122,370 | $58.83 | +25% | 240 |
| Salisbury, MD | $97,310 | $46.78 | -1% | 50 |
| Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $94,330 | $45.35 | -4% | 1,390 |
| San Angelo, TX | $83,470 | $40.13 | -15% | 50 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $98,480 | $47.34 | +0% | 920 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $123,790 | $59.52 | +26% | 1,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $146,760 | $70.56 | +50% | 3,780 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $139,990 | $67.30 | +43% | 1,620 |
| San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $59,320 | $28.52 | -40% | n/a |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $125,670 | $60.42 | +28% | 220 |
| Sandusky, OH | $86,130 | $41.41 | -12% | 70 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $130,600 | $62.79 | +33% | 220 |
| Santa Fe, NM | $99,260 | $47.72 | +1% | 120 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $135,990 | $65.38 | +39% | 260 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $136,210 | $65.49 | +39% | 310 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $70,730 | $34.00 | -28% | 400 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $133,740 | $64.30 | +36% | 3,500 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $94,490 | $45.43 | -4% | 140 |
| Sebring, FL | $80,590 | $38.75 | -18% | 40 |
| Sheboygan, WI | $98,940 | $47.57 | +1% | 110 |
| Sherman-Denison, TX | $98,030 | $47.13 | +0% | 130 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $82,760 | $39.79 | -16% | 260 |
| Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $91,420 | $43.95 | -7% | 40 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $83,920 | $40.35 | -14% | 120 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $92,350 | $44.40 | -6% | 250 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $85,920 | $41.31 | -12% | 230 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $82,650 | $39.74 | -16% | 280 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $83,780 | $40.28 | -15% | 170 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $116,690 | $56.10 | +19% | 500 |
| Springfield, IL | $83,070 | $39.94 | -15% | 280 |
| Springfield, MA | $97,620 | $46.93 | +0% | 380 |
| Springfield, MO | $85,840 | $41.27 | -12% | 360 |
| Springfield, OH | $80,600 | $38.75 | -18% | 80 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $100,480 | $48.31 | +2% | 220 |
| St. George, UT | $82,890 | $39.85 | -16% | 200 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $87,370 | $42.01 | -11% | 80 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $97,650 | $46.95 | +0% | 2,150 |
| State College, PA | $78,530 | $37.76 | -20% | 130 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $100,350 | $48.24 | +2% | 60 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $125,130 | $60.16 | +28% | 480 |
| Sumter, SC | $81,150 | $39.01 | -17% | 60 |
| Syracuse, NY | $93,640 | $45.02 | -5% | 580 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $79,520 | $38.23 | -19% | 160 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $95,870 | $46.09 | -2% | 1,670 |
| Terre Haute, IN | $79,210 | $38.08 | -19% | 90 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $82,800 | $39.81 | -16% | 70 |
| Toledo, OH | $76,580 | $36.82 | -22% | 580 |
| Topeka, KS | $88,220 | $42.42 | -10% | 240 |
| Traverse City, MI | $81,570 | $39.22 | -17% | 190 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $100,920 | $48.52 | +3% | 330 |
| Tucson, AZ | $96,740 | $46.51 | -1% | 490 |
| Tulsa, OK | $100,350 | $48.24 | +2% | 820 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $60,500 | $29.09 | -38% | 130 |
| Twin Falls, ID | $93,070 | $44.75 | -5% | 110 |
| Tyler, TX | $94,710 | $45.54 | -3% | 210 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $96,440 | $46.37 | -2% | 600 |
| Utica-Rome, NY | $95,480 | $45.91 | -3% | 160 |
| Valdosta, GA | $79,360 | $38.16 | -19% | 100 |
| Vallejo, CA | $128,570 | $61.81 | +31% | 270 |
| Victoria, TX | $85,680 | $41.19 | -13% | 40 |
| Vineland, NJ | $99,160 | $47.67 | +1% | 90 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $98,890 | $47.54 | +1% | 940 |
| Visalia, CA | $98,240 | $47.23 | +0% | 200 |
| Waco, TX | $95,340 | $45.84 | -3% | 150 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $106,680 | $51.29 | +9% | 50 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $78,770 | $37.87 | -20% | 130 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $119,170 | $57.30 | +21% | 2,200 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $101,670 | $48.88 | +4% | 380 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $82,500 | $39.66 | -16% | 130 |
| Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $81,170 | $39.02 | -17% | 70 |
| Wausau, WI | $87,470 | $42.05 | -11% | 150 |
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $75,240 | $36.17 | -23% | 50 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $118,820 | $57.13 | +21% | 110 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $72,540 | $34.88 | -26% | 110 |
| Wichita Falls, TX | $91,340 | $43.91 | -7% | 40 |
| Wildwood-The Villages, FL | $92,900 | $44.67 | -5% | 80 |
| Williamsport, PA | $80,990 | $38.94 | -17% | 40 |
| Wilmington, NC | $96,700 | $46.49 | -1% | 440 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $100,640 | $48.38 | +3% | 100 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $95,930 | $46.12 | -2% | 500 |
| Worcester, MA | $100,460 | $48.30 | +2% | 790 |
| Yakima, WA | $120,690 | $58.03 | +23% | 160 |
| York-Hanover, PA | $80,380 | $38.64 | -18% | 300 |
| Youngstown-Warren, OH | $84,870 | $40.80 | -13% | 280 |
| Yuba City, CA | $124,780 | $59.99 | +27% | 60 |
| Yuma, AZ | $96,850 | $46.56 | -1% | 60 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 metropolitan area estimates (SOC 29-1292), published 15 May 2026. A metro area is a city and its commuting zone, named after its largest cities, so "Houston" pay covers the whole Houston area. Employees only: the self-employed aren't counted, and metro areas where BLS doesn't publish a figure for this job are left out. Metro areas with few dental hygienists can show unusual figures, so check the "Employed" column. Figures are not adjusted for local prices.
How the United States compares for dental hygienists
Median dental hygienist salary in each country, converted to US dollars.
The American market for dental hygienists
For the same job, US pay runs well above the UK in official data: around 60% to 110% more for nurses, software engineers, pharmacists and lawyers, but only around 10% to 20% more in trades like electrical work, plumbing and welding (BLS and ONS medians at current exchange rates). The trade-offs are thinner employment protections, health insurance tied to your employer, and pay that varies wildly between states and cities.
BLS counts 222,740 dental hygienists. The District of Columbia has the highest median at $137,220 a year, then Alaska at $132,690 and Washington at $131,160. BLS notes that many dental hygienists work part time.
Tax reality
Federal income tax plus state tax (0% in states like Texas and Florida, over 13% in California), and 7.65% for Social Security and Medicare (Social Security stops at a yearly earnings cap). Healthcare costs typically come out of your package.
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Dental Hygienist jobs in the United States
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Dental Hygienist pay in the United States: FAQ
How much does a dental hygienist earn in the United States?
In 2026, a dental hygienist in the United States earns a median gross salary of about $98,100 per year. Entry-level pay starts around $74,880 and experienced seniors reach $126,050 or more.
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in the United States?
About $47 an hour at the median, based on a standard 40-hour week. That ranges from roughly $36 an hour at entry level to $60.50 for senior dental hygienists, before overtime.
How much does a dental hygienist earn per month in the United States?
Around $8,175 gross per month at the median, from about $6,240 at entry level to $10,500 for seniors.
Which state pays dental hygienists the most?
Alaska has the highest median dental hygienist pay of any state, at $132,690 a year, followed by Washington ($131,160) and California ($124,930). The District of Columbia is higher still, at $137,220. The lowest is Alabama, at $61,160. These are official BLS figures for May 2025.
What does an entry-level dental hygienist make in the United States?
Around $74,880 gross per year. Typical entry route: certification, and reaching the median usually takes about 5 years of experience.
Is the United States a good country for dental hygienists?
The United States ranks 1 of 3 countries we track for dental hygienist pay in US-dollar terms. For the same job, US pay runs well above the UK in official data: around 60% to 110% more for nurses, software engineers, pharmacists and lawyers, but only around 10% to 20% more in trades like electrical work, plumbing and welding (BLS and ONS medians at current exchange rates). The trade-offs are thinner employment protections, health insurance tied to your employer, and pay that varies wildly between states and cities.
How much tax does a dental hygienist pay in the United States?
Federal income tax plus state tax (0% in states like Texas and Florida, over 13% in California), and 7.65% for Social Security and Medicare (Social Security stops at a yearly earnings cap). Healthcare costs typically come out of your package.
Source: figures for the United States come from official statistics: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (SOC 29-1292 dental hygienists; 10th percentile, median and 90th percentile annual wages), published 15 May 2026. Monthly and hourly rates are derived from them.
Other countries are Paygrade estimates from our salary model (career data updated 28 October 2026), using country wage factors and European Central Bank exchange rates of 26 October 2026. Hourly and monthly figures divide the annual salary by standard full-time hours. Read the full methodology. Actual offers vary by company, city and negotiation.