Dental Hygienist Salary.
Across 81 U.S. cities.
$94,000
national median salary
$80,000 to $103,000. Last updated August 2026.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $98,100 for Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292) across the United States, based on 222,740 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$74,880
25th percentile
$83,570
Median
$98,100
75th percentile
$108,480
90th percentile
$126,050
Workers surveyed
222,740
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$94,260
May 2025 release
$98,100
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292) rather than Dental Hygienistspecifically. The national range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 29-1292Highest Paying
$127,000
San Francisco, CA
Best Purchasing Power
$98,000
Raleigh, NC
Lowest Paying
$74,000
Wichita, KS
The salary figures on this page are computed estimates, not observed wages. Each one is a national role baseline scaled by a Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity cost-of-living multiplier (2025 index) and rounded to the nearest $1,000. No published wage percentile is consulted and no wage survey response enters the calculation, so an Orbyt estimate must not be cited as a Bureau of Labor Statistics figure or as measured pay. The published wage data Orbyt holds is Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, and Department of Labor H-1B Labor Condition Application filings, which record a filed minimum visa base wage rather than market pay. Where BLS publishes a wage for the occupation a role maps to, it is shown on that role's page as a separate benchmark, labelled with its occupation code, metro area and the number of employed workers it covers. Last updated August 2026. This role maps to BLS occupation code 29-1292. Full methodology.
Orbyt estimates the average Dental Hygienist salary in the United States at $94,000 in 2026, within a range of $80,000 to $103,000. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page. San Francisco is the highest of the 81 cities at $127,000, while Raleigh offers the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustments. State scope of practice laws directly affect pay, as states allowing hygienists to administer anesthesia and perform expanded duties offer higher wages.
Dental Hygienist salary by city.
Skills that increase Dental Hygienist pay.
The skills below command measurable salary premiums for Dental Hygienists based on job posting data. Learning the top skill here could add $13,160 to your annual compensation.
≈ +$13,160 per year
≈ +$12,220 per year
≈ +$11,280 per year
≈ +$10,340 per year
≈ +$10,340 per year
≈ +$9,400 per year
≈ +$9,400 per year
≈ +$8,460 per year
What you should know.
State scope of practice laws directly affect pay, as states allowing hygienists to administer anesthesia and perform expanded duties offer higher wages. Metropolitan areas pay 15 to 25% above rural locations. Periodontal and specialty practices pay more than general dentistry offices due to clinical complexity requirements.
New hygienists start at $62,000 to $70,000 in general practice settings. Experienced hygienists with expanded function permits earn $80,000 to $95,000 after five years. Lead hygienists, educators, or those in periodontal specialty practices can reach $96,000 to $110,000 annually.
Dental hygienists often receive production bonuses tied to patient volume, adding $3,000 to $8,000 annually. Benefits vary widely since many work part-time across multiple offices. Full-time positions typically include health insurance, retirement plans, and CE reimbursement.
Total compensation breakdown.
Salary by company size
Remote salary adjustment
Remote Dental Hygienists typically earn $85,000 (10% less than on-site). This reflects location-adjusted pay policies at companies using geographic salary bands. Some companies pay flat national rates regardless of location.
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Common questions about Dental Hygienist pay.
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