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Hygienist salary
Average hygienist salary
$83,134
Understanding Hygienist Salaries
The role of a hygienist is essential in maintaining oral health, and their salaries reflect the importance of this position. As of October 2025, the average hygienist salary is reported at $83,134 per year. Factors influencing this figure include geographic location, years of experience, and the type of practice.
Salary by State
Hygienists in states like California, Texas, and New York tend to earn higher wages, with some urban areas offering salaries well above the average. For instance, cities such as San Francisco and New York City are known for their competitive pay rates.
Career Advancement Opportunities
To increase earning potential, hygienists can pursue advanced certifications, specialize in areas such as periodontics or pediatric dentistry, or take on roles in dental education. By exploring these paths, professionals can enhance their skills and command higher salaries.
Conclusion
For those considering a career as a hygienist, understanding salary trends and opportunities for advancement is crucial. This information can help guide career choices and maximize earning potential.
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Where can a Hygienist earn more?
Average hygienist salary by state
The average hygienist salary in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average hygienist salary states are Kansas, Wyoming, and Nebraska.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for hygienists
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Hampshire | $87,531 | $42.08 |
| 2 | Nevada | $86,362 | $41.52 |
| 3 | Pennsylvania | $87,064 | $41.86 |
| 4 | Arizona | $84,825 | $40.78 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $88,142 | $42.38 |
| 6 | Michigan | $82,926 | $39.87 |
| 7 | Maine | $85,958 | $41.33 |
| 8 | Ohio | $82,670 | $39.75 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | $87,937 | $42.28 |
| 10 | New York | $87,660 | $42.14 |
| 11 | Oregon | $84,478 | $40.61 |
| 12 | North Carolina | $82,204 | $39.52 |
| 13 | Vermont | $86,457 | $41.57 |
| 14 | Washington | $83,364 | $40.08 |
| 15 | Virginia | $86,501 | $41.59 |
| 16 | Delaware | $87,339 | $41.99 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $87,952 | $42.28 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $83,842 | $40.31 |
| 19 | New Jersey | $87,691 | $42.16 |
| 20 | Wisconsin | $78,095 | $37.55 |
| 21 | Indiana | $78,242 | $37.62 |
| 22 | Texas | $81,194 | $39.04 |
| 23 | West Virginia | $83,946 | $40.36 |
| 24 | Alaska | $86,081 | $41.39 |
| 25 | California | $86,824 | $41.74 |
| 26 | Maryland | $86,858 | $41.76 |
| 27 | District of Columbia | $86,828 | $41.74 |
| 28 | Tennessee | $76,005 | $36.54 |
| 29 | South Carolina | $78,077 | $37.54 |
| 30 | Louisiana | $79,403 | $38.17 |
| 31 | Kentucky | $77,598 | $37.31 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $77,015 | $37.03 |
| 33 | Minnesota | $75,917 | $36.50 |
| 34 | Arkansas | $75,863 | $36.47 |
| 35 | Colorado | $75,176 | $36.14 |
| 36 | Georgia | $75,885 | $36.48 |
| 37 | Idaho | $78,595 | $37.79 |
| 38 | Florida | $72,085 | $34.66 |
| 39 | Mississippi | $77,702 | $37.36 |
| 40 | Utah | $78,367 | $37.68 |
| 41 | Missouri | $74,783 | $35.95 |
| 42 | Alabama | $76,181 | $36.63 |
| 43 | North Dakota | $75,366 | $36.23 |
| 44 | Illinois | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| 45 | South Dakota | $73,197 | $35.19 |
| 46 | Iowa | $74,711 | $35.92 |
| 47 | Nebraska | $73,492 | $35.33 |
| 48 | Montana | $74,783 | $35.95 |
| 49 | Kansas | $74,449 | $35.79 |
| 50 | Hawaii | $68,355 | $32.86 |
| 51 | Wyoming | $73,864 | $35.51 |
Highest paying cities for hygienists
The highest-paying cities for hygienists are Petaluma, CA, Reno, NV, and Boston, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petaluma, CA | $89,843 | $43.19 |
| 2 | Reno, NV | $88,494 | $42.55 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $88,080 | $42.35 |
| 4 | Grants Pass, OR | $87,970 | $42.29 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $87,846 | $42.23 |
| 6 | Manchester, NH | $87,621 | $42.13 |
| 7 | South Portland, ME | $86,565 | $41.62 |
| 8 | Pittsburgh, PA | $85,520 | $41.12 |
| 9 | Prescott, AZ | $85,276 | $41.00 |
| 10 | Marysville, WA | $84,207 | $40.48 |
| 11 | Livonia, MI | $83,178 | $39.99 |
| 12 | Toledo, OH | $82,811 | $39.81 |
| 13 | Moore, OK | $77,847 | $37.43 |
| 14 | Plainfield, IN | $77,768 | $37.39 |
| 15 | Lombard, IL | $77,573 | $37.29 |
| 16 | Saint Paul, MN | $76,028 | $36.55 |
| 17 | Alpharetta, GA | $76,003 | $36.54 |
| 18 | Jacksonville, FL | $75,892 | $36.49 |
| 19 | Denver, CO | $74,923 | $36.02 |
| 20 | Aberdeen, SD | $73,893 | $35.53 |
Hygienist salary details
A hygienist's salary ranges from $59,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $116,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a hygienist's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $116,000 | $9,667 | $56 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,000 | $8,250 | $48 |
| Average | $83,134 | $6,928 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $69,000 | $5,750 | $33 |
| 10th Percentile | $59,000 | $4,917 | $28 |
Highest paying hygienist jobs
The highest paying types of hygienists are dental hygienist, pediatric dental hygienist, and industrial hygienist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Hygienist | $68,173 | $5,681 | $32.78 | 23,048 |
| Dental Hygienist | $88,432 | $7,369 | $42.52 | 24,234 |
Top companies hiring hygienists now:
Which companies pay hygienists the most?
Hygienist salaries at Private Practice and Community Health Connections are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average hygienist salary at companies like MINT dentistry and Interdent are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Private Practice | $94,201 | $45.29 |
| 2 | Community Health Connections | $94,131 | $45.26 |
| 3 | MINT dentistry | $94,075 | $45.23 |
| 4 | Interdent | $93,645 | $45.02 |
| 5 | North American Dental Group | $90,296 | $43.41 |
| 6 | PDS | $88,531 | $42.56 |
| 7 | iHire | $88,420 | $42.51 |
| 8 | Willamette Dental Group | $86,690 | $41.68 |
| 9 | Community Dental Care | $84,943 | $40.84 |
| 10 | Western Dental | $84,942 | $40.84 |
| 11 | Kids Smile P.C | $84,900 | $40.82 |
| 12 | Elite Dental Partners | $84,253 | $40.51 |
| 13 | Heartland Dental | $84,172 | $40.47 |
| 14 | Pacific Dental Services | $83,165 | $39.98 |
| 15 | Aspen Dental | $82,593 | $39.71 |
| 16 | Familia Dental | $82,376 | $39.60 |
| 17 | Gentle Dental | $82,030 | $39.44 |
| 18 | Smiles Dental Care | $81,920 | $39.38 |
| 19 | CompleteCare Health Network | $80,628 | $38.76 |
| 20 | Nation Pizza | $76,761 | $36.90 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Hygienist salary trends
The average hygienist salary has risen by $7,708 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average hygienist earned $75,426 annually, but today, they earn $83,134 a year. That works out to a 5% change in pay for hygienists over the last decade.
Compare hygienist salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average hygienist salary over time
Compare hygienist salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Hygienist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $83,100 | $39.97 | +2.7% |
| 2025 | $80,900 | $38.88 | -0.7% |
| 2024 | $81,500 | $39.16 | +1.0% |
| 2023 | $80,600 | $38.77 | +1.6% |
| 2022 | $79,400 | $38.16 | +0.8% |
Recently added hygienist salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anheuser-Busch | Factory Hygienist | Saint Louis, MO | 06/27/2025 | $82,400 |
| Mint Dentistry | Hygienist | Houston, TX | 06/27/2025 | $135,655 |
| Monroe Family Dentistry | Hygienist-5K | Monroe, WA | 06/27/2025 | $135,655 |
| Columbia Basin Health Association | Hygienist | Pasco, WA | 06/26/2025 | $76,891 |
| Columbian Basin Health Association | Hygienist | Pasco, WA | 06/26/2025 | $76,891 |
| Light Wave Dental Management | Temp Hygienist | Richmond, VA | 06/26/2025 | $125,220 |
| Avanta Dental | Hygienist-10K Signing Bonus | Yakima, WA | 06/26/2025 | $100,000 |
| NYU Langone Health | Hygienist-Temporary | New York, NY | 06/25/2025 | $92,663 |
| Lightwave Dental | Temp Hygienist | Richmond, VA | 06/24/2025 | $125,220 |
| Dentalworks | Hygienist | Windsor, CO | 06/24/2025 | $114,785 |
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