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Dental hygienist salary
Average dental hygienist salary
$88,432
Average Dental Hygienist Salary
The average salary for a dental hygienist is approximately $88,432 per year or $43 per hour. This figure can vary based on several factors, including location, years of experience, and specific fields within dental hygiene.
How Location Affects Salary
Dental hygienists working in states like California and Massachusetts tend to earn higher salaries, reflecting the cost of living and demand for dental services in these areas. For instance, the highest paying states often offer salaries exceeding $100,000 annually.
Experience Matters
Furthermore, as dental hygienists gain experience, their earning potential increases. Entry-level positions typically start lower, while those with several years of experience or additional certifications can command significantly higher pay. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for future dental hygienists aiming to make informed career decisions.
Career Opportunities
In addition to traditional dental practices, opportunities in education, research, and public health can provide avenues for increased earnings. By exploring various career paths, dental hygienists can find roles that align with their interests and financial goals.
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Where can a Dental Hygienist earn more?
Dental hygienist salary estimates from across the web
Average dental hygienist salary by state
The highest-paying states for dental hygienists are Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. The lowest average dental hygienist salary states are Tennessee, Hawaii, and Alabama.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for dental hygienists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $92,209 | $44.33 |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | $90,819 | $43.66 |
| 3 | New Mexico | $87,248 | $41.95 |
| 4 | Nevada | $91,430 | $43.96 |
| 5 | Arizona | $88,388 | $42.49 |
| 6 | Rhode Island | $93,609 | $45.00 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $93,079 | $44.75 |
| 8 | Washington | $88,239 | $42.42 |
| 9 | Maine | $88,714 | $42.65 |
| 10 | Oregon | $88,402 | $42.50 |
| 11 | New York | $92,508 | $44.48 |
| 12 | Michigan | $83,647 | $40.21 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $93,213 | $44.81 |
| 14 | California | $91,455 | $43.97 |
| 15 | New Jersey | $92,366 | $44.41 |
| 16 | Vermont | $89,197 | $42.88 |
| 17 | Idaho | $84,707 | $40.72 |
| 18 | Ohio | $81,179 | $39.03 |
| 19 | Delaware | $90,639 | $43.58 |
| 20 | Alaska | $84,430 | $40.59 |
| 21 | Wisconsin | $76,588 | $36.82 |
| 22 | Texas | $81,559 | $39.21 |
| 23 | Oklahoma | $75,340 | $36.22 |
| 24 | Maryland | $89,103 | $42.84 |
| 25 | Virginia | $85,107 | $40.92 |
| 26 | Utah | $83,241 | $40.02 |
| 27 | West Virginia | $81,428 | $39.15 |
| 28 | Indiana | $74,669 | $35.90 |
| 29 | Colorado | $78,161 | $37.58 |
| 30 | District of Columbia | $88,594 | $42.59 |
| 31 | Kentucky | $72,940 | $35.07 |
| 32 | Louisiana | $76,142 | $36.61 |
| 33 | Minnesota | $73,277 | $35.23 |
| 34 | Tennessee | $70,392 | $33.84 |
| 35 | Florida | $66,131 | $31.79 |
| 36 | Montana | $78,256 | $37.62 |
| 37 | North Carolina | $73,896 | $35.53 |
| 38 | North Dakota | $73,318 | $35.25 |
| 39 | Wyoming | $76,465 | $36.76 |
| 40 | South Carolina | $66,051 | $31.76 |
| 41 | Missouri | $72,006 | $34.62 |
| 42 | Illinois | $74,833 | $35.98 |
| 43 | Georgia | $66,099 | $31.78 |
| 44 | South Dakota | $70,594 | $33.94 |
| 45 | Kansas | $73,508 | $35.34 |
| 46 | Nebraska | $71,931 | $34.58 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $71,817 | $34.53 |
| 48 | Mississippi | $71,654 | $34.45 |
| 49 | Hawaii | $68,693 | $33.03 |
| 50 | Alabama | $68,004 | $32.69 |
| 51 | Iowa | $70,829 | $34.05 |
Highest paying cities for dental hygienists
The highest-paying cities for dental hygienists are Sacramento, CA, Milton, MA, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sacramento, CA | $94,660 | $45.51 |
| 2 | Milton, MA | $93,272 | $44.84 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $92,661 | $44.55 |
| 4 | Salem, NH | $92,534 | $44.49 |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $91,425 | $43.95 |
| 6 | Las Vegas, NV | $91,189 | $43.84 |
| 7 | Baltimore, MD | $89,572 | $43.06 |
| 8 | Phoenix, AZ | $88,670 | $42.63 |
| 9 | Seattle, WA | $88,650 | $42.62 |
| 10 | Washington, DC | $88,587 | $42.59 |
| 11 | Alexandria, VA | $88,409 | $42.50 |
| 12 | Salem, OR | $88,363 | $42.48 |
| 13 | Detroit, MI | $84,552 | $40.65 |
| 14 | Austin, TX | $82,324 | $39.58 |
| 15 | Columbus, OH | $79,669 | $38.30 |
| 16 | Colorado Springs, CO | $78,869 | $37.92 |
| 17 | Charleston, WV | $78,635 | $37.81 |
| 18 | Greenville, NC | $78,609 | $37.79 |
| 19 | Alexandria, LA | $77,338 | $37.18 |
| 20 | Milwaukee, WI | $77,003 | $37.02 |
Dental Hygienists are the most in-demand in these five cities:
Dental hygienist salary details
A dental hygienist's salary ranges from $56,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $137,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a dental hygienist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $137,000 | $11,417 | $66 |
| 75th Percentile | $111,000 | $9,250 | $53 |
| Average | $88,432 | $7,369 | $43 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,000 | $5,750 | $33 |
| 10th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
Highest paying dental hygienist jobs
The highest paying types of dental hygienists are hygienist, pediatric dental hygienist, and implant coordinator.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hygienist | $83,134 | $6,928 | $39.97 | 13,991 |
Top companies hiring dental hygienists now:
Which companies pay dental hygienists the most?
Dental hygienist salaries at Bonita and Walmart are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average dental hygienist salary at companies like Blank Rome and Dignity Health are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bonita | $111,910 | $53.80 |
| 2 | Walmart | $110,803 | $53.27 |
| 3 | Blank Rome | $109,489 | $52.64 |
| 4 | Dignity Health | $104,963 | $50.46 |
| 5 | St. Mary's Health Inc. | $103,809 | $49.91 |
| 6 | Children's Hospital Los Angeles | $103,167 | $49.60 |
| 7 | Fayette Community Hospital Inc | $101,092 | $48.60 |
| 8 | Express Healthcare Professionals | $98,253 | $47.24 |
| 9 | Roseman University | $97,939 | $47.09 |
| 10 | Massachusetts General Hospital | $96,753 | $46.52 |
| 11 | Spectrum Healthcare Resources | $95,684 | $46.00 |
| 12 | Holzer Health System | $95,223 | $45.78 |
| 13 | STG International | $94,984 | $45.67 |
| 14 | Conway Medical Center | $94,186 | $45.28 |
| 15 | The Arora Group | $93,676 | $45.04 |
| 16 | Queens Health Systems | $93,366 | $44.89 |
| 17 | Open Door Health Center | $93,187 | $44.80 |
| 18 | Private Practice | $93,090 | $44.75 |
| 19 | UTMB HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS | $92,908 | $44.67 |
| 20 | Lone Star Circle of Care | $92,869 | $44.65 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Dental hygienist salary trends
The average dental hygienist salary has risen by $8,199 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average dental hygienist earned $80,233 annually, but today, they earn $88,432 a year. That works out to a 5% change in pay for dental hygienists over the last decade.
Compare dental hygienist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average dental hygienist salary over time
Compare dental hygienist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Dental hygienist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $88,400 | $42.52 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | $86,000 | $41.36 | -0.7% |
| 2023 | $86,600 | $41.66 | +1.0% |
| 2022 | $85,800 | $41.24 | +1.6% |
| 2021 | $84,400 | $40.59 | +0.8% |
Recently added dental hygienist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota State | Dental Hygienist (Aa26109) | Mankato, MN | 06/30/2025 | $68,433 |
| Virtua | Dental Hygienist Fridays Only! New Virtua Camden Dental Center | Camden, NJ | 06/30/2025 | $69,101 |
| Mosaicdentalcollective | Dental Hygienist-Bellevue Dental Care | Bellevue, WA | 06/30/2025 | $135,655 |
| Central Ozarks Medical Center | Dental Hygienist | Richland, MO | 06/29/2025 | $47,000 |
| Pacific Dental Services | Registered Dental Hygienist | Bothell, WA | 06/29/2025 | $125,220 |
| Searhc | Dental Hygienist Hot | Sitka, AK | 06/29/2025 | $93,018 |
| Dental Care Alliance | Dental Hygienist | Yorktown Heights, NY | 06/29/2025 | $102,263 |
| Gentle Dental | Dental Hygienist | Vancouver, WA | 06/29/2025 | $125,220 |
| Gentle Dental | Dental Hygienist | Portland, OR | 06/29/2025 | $125,220 |
| Elite Dental Partners | Dental Hygienist | Saint Louis, MO | 06/29/2025 | $93,915 |
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