Dental Hygienist Salary in 2026
How Much Do Dental Hygienists Make?
Dental Hygienists earn a median annual salary of $94,260 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $66,470 at the 10th percentile to $120,060 at the 90th percentile — a range of $53,590. The highest-paying state is Alaska at $129,760.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $66,470 |
| 25th percentile | $80,060 |
| Median (50th) | $94,260 |
| 75th percentile | $102,920 |
| 90th percentile | $120,060 |
Dental Hygienist Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaskatop | $129,760 |
| District of Columbia | $127,900 |
| Washington | $125,370 |
| California | $121,080 |
| Oregon | $118,280 |
| Colorado | $106,730 |
| Maryland | $105,140 |
| Nevada | $103,160 |
| New Jersey | $102,600 |
| Massachusetts | $100,790 |
| Delaware | $99,720 |
| Vermont | $99,490 |
| Minnesota | $98,970 |
| Virginia | $98,880 |
| Arizona | $97,530 |
| Hawaii | $96,770 |
| New Hampshire | $96,740 |
| Illinois | $96,490 |
| New Mexico | $96,410 |
| Connecticut | $96,270 |
| Oklahoma | $95,860 |
| New York | $95,560 |
| Montana | $94,740 |
| Texas | $94,490 |
| Indiana | $90,290 |
| North Carolina | $89,720 |
| Maine | $88,700 |
| Idaho | $84,990 |
| Nebraska | $84,400 |
| South Dakota | $84,300 |
| Wisconsin | $83,850 |
| Arkansas | $83,760 |
| Georgia | $83,500 |
| Missouri | $83,270 |
| North Dakota | $83,010 |
| Rhode Island | $82,870 |
| Iowa | $82,770 |
| Utah | $82,610 |
| Wyoming | $82,220 |
| Kansas | $82,060 |
| Tennessee | $81,810 |
| South Carolina | $81,710 |
| Ohio | $81,620 |
| Pennsylvania | $81,510 |
| Florida | $81,090 |
| Michigan | $80,990 |
| Louisiana | $80,900 |
| Kentucky | $77,440 |
| West Virginia | $72,670 |
| Mississippi | $66,290 |
| Alabama | $59,840 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Dental Hygienists
Dental Hygienist Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$66,470 – $80,060 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$94,260 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$102,920 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $120,060+ |
How to Earn More as a Dental Hygienist
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Dental Hygienists in San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA earn $135,010 — $40,750 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($102,920) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Dental Hygienist Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Dental Hygienistthis career | $94,260 |
| Dentists, General | $172,790 |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | $239,200 |
| Orthodontist | $239,200 |
| Prosthodontist | $239,200 |
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SOC: 29-1292.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.