The average dental hygienist salary in the US is $98,990. However, the median of $74,880 is the more practical figure for setting offers, since it better reflects what most dental hygienists actually earn rather than what a small group of top earners makes.
Dental hygienist salary in the US (2026)
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Dental hygienist salary in the US (2026)
The average dental hygienist salary in the US is $98,990. The median salary of $74,880 is the more reliable anchor for most hiring decisions, because it reflects what the typical dental hygienist earns without being pulled upward by high earners at the top of the range. Geographic location drives wide variation in dental hygienist pay, so your offer will need to reflect the state market where you are hiring rather than the national average alone.
Dental hygienist salary in the US (2026)
Metric | Value |
Average annual salary | $98,990 |
Median annual salary | $74,880 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 222,740 employed dental hygienists across the US.
See how Rippling handles payroll, benefits, and onboarding for your next dental hygienist hire.
Dental hygienist salary percentiles
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th percentile | $40,000 |
25th percentile | $47,000 |
75th percentile | — |
90th percentile | $60,000 |
The national average of $98,990 sits well above the 90th percentile of $60,000, which tells you that a small number of very high earners are pulling the average up sharply. For most dental hygienist hires, anchoring your offer closer to the median of $74,880 will reflect actual market conditions more accurately than the average will.
How dental hygienist salaries compare across states
State | Average annual salary | Median annual salary |
Washington | $131,530 | $107,090 |
California | $128,110 | $102,090 |
Colorado | $110,030 | $95,680 |
Virginia | $105,120 | $86,730 |
New York | $103,640 | $77,680 |
Massachusetts | $102,160 | $93,510 |
Texas | $96,240 | $71,530 |
Illinois | $91,820 | $74,280 |
Georgia | $91,220 | $74,610 |
Florida | $88,320 | $75,960 |
Build your dental hygienist budget around the state where you are hiring, because a single national figure will either overpay or underpay depending on your location. Washington and California lead with average salaries of $131,530 and $128,110 respectively, while Florida and Georgia sit closer to $88,320 and $91,220, meaning your budget could differ by more than $40,000 depending on the market.
Frequently asked questions about dental hygienist salary in the US
What is the average dental hygienist salary in the US?
What do the top-earning dental hygienists make nationally?
The 90th percentile for dental hygienist pay nationally is $60,000. The national average of $98,990 exceeds that figure, which means a concentrated group of very high earners is pulling the average well above what even the top 10% of the broader workforce earns. When competing for senior dental hygienist talent, expect candidates to reference the average rather than the median, so be prepared to explain how your offer aligns with local market data.
What is the salary range for a dental hygienist in the US?
The salary range for a dental hygienist in the US runs from $40,000 at the 10th percentile to $60,000 at the 90th percentile based on available BLS data. Most dental hygienists fall between the 25th percentile of $47,000 and the median of $74,880, so that band is a practical starting point when building a compensation range for a new hire.
Which states pay the most for dental hygienists?
Washington and California pay the most for dental hygienists, with average annual salaries of $131,530 and $128,110 respectively. If you are hiring in either of those states, budget well above the national average of $98,990 to remain competitive in the local market.
More salary data
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, for Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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