The national median dental hygienist salary is $91,000 in 2026. State, practice type, and hours worked can shift that figure by $60,000 or more. Here’s the complete 50-state breakdown.
Dental Hygienist Salary by State 2026 — All 50 States
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $131,530 | $107,090 | $131,160 |
| 2 | California | $128,110 | $102,090 | $124,930 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $127,910 | $86,120 | $137,220 |
| 4 | Alaska | $122,560 | $60,590 | $132,690 |
| 5 | Oregon | $120,470 | $104,530 | $122,080 |
| 6 | Nevada | $114,360 | $99,800 | $115,290 |
| 7 | Colorado | $110,030 | $95,680 | $109,580 |
| 8 | Maryland | $109,090 | $85,440 | $107,830 |
| 9 | Virginia | $105,120 | $86,730 | $102,950 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $104,410 | $94,260 | $107,040 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $103,830 | $82,110 | $103,970 |
| 12 | New York | $103,640 | $77,680 | $106,130 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $102,640 | $86,400 | $101,250 |
| 14 | Massachusetts | $102,160 | $93,510 | $100,640 |
| 15 | Arizona | $101,450 | $91,480 | $101,010 |
| 16 | Delaware | $100,660 | $93,580 | $98,910 |
| 17 | Connecticut | $98,720 | $87,190 | $100,690 |
| 18 | Oklahoma | $98,000 | $81,290 | $97,580 |
| 19 | Vermont | $97,540 | $81,010 | $97,470 |
| 20 | Montana | $96,730 | $83,060 | $98,440 |
| 21 | Maine | $96,440 | $83,420 | $97,680 |
| 22 | Texas | $96,240 | $71,530 | $99,240 |
| 23 | Idaho | $95,500 | $85,610 | $94,650 |
| 24 | New Mexico | $94,890 | $82,180 | $95,940 |
| 25 | Wisconsin | $94,180 | $80,370 | $96,540 |
| 26 | Hawaii | $93,660 | $78,800 | $97,570 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $93,640 | $77,270 | $97,850 |
| 28 | Illinois | $91,820 | $74,280 | $96,670 |
| 29 | Georgia | $91,220 | $74,610 | $95,490 |
| 30 | Ohio | $89,900 | $76,260 | $88,990 |
| 31 | North Dakota | $89,750 | $82,890 | $90,530 |
| 32 | Indiana | $89,660 | $74,970 | $92,330 |
| 33 | South Dakota | $89,180 | $73,480 | $92,210 |
| 34 | Nebraska | $88,990 | $67,600 | $92,580 |
| 35 | Rhode Island | $88,660 | $83,800 | $86,910 |
| 36 | Missouri | $88,430 | $59,880 | $92,750 |
| 37 | Florida | $88,320 | $75,960 | $91,980 |
| 38 | Utah | $87,770 | $78,830 | $91,120 |
| 39 | Tennessee | $87,420 | $76,190 | $84,640 |
| 40 | Iowa | $86,640 | $78,320 | $84,010 |
| 41 | Michigan | $85,940 | $77,230 | $83,790 |
| 42 | Arkansas | $85,660 | $62,170 | $86,760 |
| 43 | South Carolina | $84,980 | $65,700 | $84,340 |
| 44 | Pennsylvania | $84,260 | $63,130 | $80,610 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $83,160 | $49,900 | $85,240 |
| 46 | Wyoming | $82,320 | $61,020 | $85,130 |
| 47 | Kentucky | $78,950 | $61,280 | $78,830 |
| 48 | West Virginia | $71,290 | $59,950 | $73,840 |
| 49 | Mississippi | $68,630 | $58,810 | $67,280 |
| 50 | Alabama | $60,850 | $48,960 | $61,160 |
| — | National | $98,990 | $74,880 | $98,100 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-08-25. Figures cover Dental Hygienists (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Dental Hygienist Salary by Work Setting
| Work Setting | Avg Salary | Typical Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Dentistry (private practice) | $89,000 | 32–40 hrs/wk |
| Specialty Practice (Perio, Peds, Ortho) | $97,000 | 32–40 hrs/wk |
| Dental Service Organization (DSO) | $86,000 | 40 hrs/wk (benefits) |
| Public Health / Community Health Center | $78,000 | 40 hrs/wk (PSLF eligible) |
| Government / Military | $85,000 | 40 hrs/wk |
| Corporate Dental (Aspen, Heartland, etc.) | $84,000 | 36–40 hrs/wk |
Dental Hygienist Salary by Experience
| Years of Experience | Average Salary | % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 year | $67,000 | Baseline |
| 2–4 years | $80,000 | +19% |
| 5–9 years | $91,000 | +36% |
| 10–14 years | $99,000 | +48% |
| 15–20 years | $105,000 | +57% |
| 20+ years | $110,000 | +64% |
Certifications That Increase Dental Hygienist Pay
| Certification | Pay Increase | Cost to Obtain |
|---|---|---|
| Local Anesthesia Certification | +$3,000–$6,000 | $800–$2,000 |
| Nitrous Oxide Certification | +$1,500–$3,000 | $400–$1,000 |
| Laser Certification | +$3,000–$6,000 | $1,000–$3,000 |
| Extended Care Permit (ECP) | +$5,000–$10,000 | Varies by state |
| Public Health Certificate | Variable | Free–$5,000 |
| Bachelor’s in Dental Hygiene | +$5,000–$15,000 | $15,000–$40,000 |
How to Increase Your Dental Hygienist Salary
| Strategy | Potential Annual Increase |
|---|---|
| Relocate to Alaska, CA, or WA | +$20,000–$60,000 |
| Work in specialty practice (perio) | +$8,000–$15,000 |
| Add local anesthesia / laser cert | +$3,000–$8,000 |
| Work multiple part-time positions | +$10,000–$25,000 |
| Negotiate hourly rate at hire | +$3,000–$8,000 |
| Move to DSO (consistent hours + benefits) | Compensation tradeoffs vary |
| Pursue RDH educator / consultant role | +$10,000–$30,000 |
Related: How Much Do Dental Hygienists Make | Average Salary by State
Sources
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “May 2025 OES — Dental Hygienists (29-2021).” bls.gov/oes/current/oes292021.htm
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Outlook Handbook — Dental Hygienists.” bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/dental-hygienists.htm
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