Dental Hygienist Salary in 2026
Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for oral diseases, and provide preventive dental care. They educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and nutrition.
Median Salary
$98,100
$8,175/mo
Entry Level
$73,600
starting pay
Senior Level
$114,500
experienced
Job Growth
+9%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292) at a national median of $98,100 per year (mean $98,990), or $47.16 per hour, with 222,740 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Dental Hygienist Overview
Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for oral diseases, and provide preventive dental care. They educate patients on proper oral hygiene techniques and nutrition.
Education
Associate's Degree
Experience
0-2 years
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
223K
5-Year Growth
+12%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$47.16/hr
Monthly Pay
$8,175
Dental Hygienist Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Dental Hygienist salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Dental Hygienist Salary
$101,000
$8,417/month · $3,885/biweekly · $48.56/hr
Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Dental Hygienist field.
Entry-level Dental Hygienists earn around $73,600, while the top 10% earn $122,650 or more.
Top Paying States for Dental Hygienists
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $116,000 | +$17,900 |
| New York | $113,000 | +$14,900 |
| Washington | $110,000 | +$11,900 |
| Massachusetts | $110,000 | +$11,900 |
| Texas | $96,000 | $-2,100 |
Top Paying Cities for Dental Hygienists
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| SeattleBLS metro | $133,740 | +$35,640 |
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $122,980 | +$24,880 |
| New YorkBLS metro | $109,720 | +$11,620 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $104,930 | +$6,830 |
| BostonBLS metro | $101,990 | +$3,890 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Dental Hygienists in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Dental Hygienist Salary by City
Published city-level wage and take-home pay guides for Dental Hygienist.
- Arlington, VA
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Boston, MA
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Colorado Springs, CO
- Columbus, OH
- Dayton, OH
- El Paso, TX
- Fort Worth, TX
- Gilbert, AZ
- Houston, TX
- Jersey City, NJ
- Kennewick, WA
- Las Vegas, NV
- Livonia, MI
- Los Angeles, CA
- Midland, TX
- Minneapolis, MN
- New York, NY
- Pasadena, CA
- Philadelphia, PA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Diego, CA
- Seattle, WA
- Somerville, MA
- Spokane, WA
- Tampa, FL
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Warwick, RI
- Wichita, KS
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Dental Hygienist Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Dental Hygienist from entry level to expert.
$73,600
0-2 years
$94,000
3-7 years
$114,500
8-14 years
$130,800
15+ years
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Dental Hygienist Salary FAQ
How much does a Dental Hygienist make in 2026?
The median salary for a Dental Hygienist in the United States is $98,100 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292); the mean is $98,990. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $73,600, senior professionals around $114,500, and top earners at $130,800 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Dental Hygienist?
A Dental Hygienist typically requires a Associate's Degree with 0-2 years of experience. Key skills include Teeth Cleaning, Periodontal Assessment, X-Rays. Relevant certifications such as NBDHE or State Licensure can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Dental Hygienists?
The job market for Dental Hygienists is projected to grow by 9% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 223K Dental Hygienist positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 12%, reflecting steady demand for this role.
Which states pay Dental Hygienists the most?
The highest-paying states for Dental Hygienists include California, Washington, New York. In California, the median salary is approximately $116,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Dental Hygienist salary?
To increase your Dental Hygienist salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Teeth Cleaning and Periodontal Assessment. Pursue certifications such as NBDHE. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 0-2 years of experience, you can progress from $73,600 to $114,500 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Dental Hygienist Salary
How we calculate Dental Hygienist salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $98,100, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Dental Hygienists; BLS mean $98,990; BLS hourly median $47.16.
- Entry-level ($73,600) and senior-level ($114,500) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +9% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 222,740 Dental Hygienists jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 12% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Healthcare sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Associate's Degree, per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $98,100; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Dental Hygienist compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienist job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Dental Hygienist salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Teeth Cleaning, Periodontal Assessment, X-Rays), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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