Dental Hygienist Salary
Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for oral diseases, and provide preventive care. They also educate patients on proper oral hygiene and work alongside dentists in clinical settings.
National Salary Distribution
Top Paying Cities for Dental Hygienist
| # | City | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $146,760 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $133,740 |
| 3 | San Diego, CA | $123,790 |
| 4 | Portland, OR | $123,100 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $122,980 |
| 6 | Washington, DC | $119,170 |
| 7 | Denver, CO | $113,760 |
| 8 | Minneapolis, MN | $112,630 |
| 9 | New York, NY | $109,720 |
| 10 | Austin, TX | $105,480 |
Highest After Local Prices
| # | City | Price Level | At National Prices |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | 115.6 | $126,941 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | 111.1 | $120,342 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | 105.4 | $116,770 |
| 4 | San Diego, CA | 111.9 | $110,638 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | 108.9 | $109,447 |
| 6 | Los Angeles, CA | 113.6 | $108,289 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | 98.1 | $107,560 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | 105.8 | $107,542 |
| 9 | Minneapolis, MN | 104.8 | $107,449 |
| 10 | Oklahoma City, OK | 90.4 | $107,413 |
Dental Hygienist Salary — All Cities
| City | P25 | Median | P75 | P90 | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $130,200 | $146,760 | $154,920 | $156,580 | 3,780 |
| Seattle, WA | $132,850 | $133,740 | $160,190 | $162,850 | 3,500 |
| San Diego, CA | $121,380 | $123,790 | $126,820 | $130,530 | 1,940 |
| Portland, OR | $121,800 | $123,100 | $128,350 | $147,470 | 2,380 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $107,570 | $122,980 | $130,570 | $137,310 | 7,940 |
| Washington, DC | $103,340 | $119,170 | $125,560 | $132,000 | 2,200 |
| Denver, CO | $103,360 | $113,760 | $126,860 | $128,020 | 2,100 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $103,130 | $112,630 | $116,960 | $122,180 | 2,590 |
| New York, NY | $105,990 | $109,720 | $121,700 | $126,640 | 14,230 |
| Austin, TX | $94,630 | $105,480 | $119,690 | $120,420 | 1,270 |
| Houston, TX | $99,220 | $104,930 | $107,200 | $108,590 | 3,060 |
| Richmond, VA | $102,950 | $104,250 | $104,690 | $119,350 | 780 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $99,410 | $102,520 | $107,880 | $121,910 | 3,240 |
| Boston, MA | $98,480 | $101,990 | $106,820 | $117,570 | 5,150 |
| Dallas, TX | $89,240 | $101,870 | $116,400 | $120,060 | 7,050 |
| Atlanta, GA | $95,110 | $100,370 | $102,560 | $114,360 | 4,710 |
| Chicago, IL | $86,330 | $100,260 | $102,340 | $118,410 | 6,470 |
| Raleigh, NC | $97,680 | $98,800 | $103,040 | $105,730 | 1,220 |
| Charlotte, NC | $96,680 | $98,390 | $101,470 | $103,760 | 1,910 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $91,510 | $97,470 | $100,860 | $113,950 | 1,780 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $96,140 | $97,110 | $99,900 | $120,140 | 1,420 |
| Columbus, OH | $90,620 | $96,880 | $99,330 | $99,730 | 1,700 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $80,250 | $94,330 | $96,390 | $99,750 | 1,390 |
| Nashville, TN | $80,380 | $94,030 | $97,510 | $98,530 | 1,490 |
| El Paso, TX | $75,050 | $84,660 | $94,060 | $95,020 | 320 |
| Detroit, MI | $80,360 | $84,480 | $96,340 | $97,230 | 3,780 |
| Miami, FL | $79,780 | $82,780 | $93,340 | $99,040 | 3,460 |
| Louisville, KY | $77,040 | $81,390 | $97,160 | $99,250 | 780 |
| Memphis, TN | $75,870 | $78,580 | $92,310 | $119,720 | 650 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $75,510 | $75,960 | $79,200 | $80,710 | 1,580 |
5About the Dental Hygienist Role
Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine patients for oral diseases, and provide preventive care. They also educate patients on proper oral hygiene and work alongside dentists in clinical settings.
Compensation for Dental Hygienists varies by metro — from $75,960 at the low end in Pittsburgh, PA to $146,760 in San Francisco, CA. The $70,800 gap is a gap in dollars. The second table above lists the 10 highest medians after each is restated at national-average prices using BEA regional price parities, which can change the order.
For side-by-side comparisons between specific metros, use the compare links above or the salary calculator. For state-level figures, see dental hygienist salary by state, or browse all occupations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Dental Hygienist salary in the US?
The national median Dental Hygienist salary is $98,100 per year, per the BLS OEWS May 2025 national estimate. The 25th percentile is $83,570 and the 90th percentile reaches $126,050.
Which city pays Dental Hygienists the most?
Among the 30 metro areas covered here, San Francisco, CA has the highest median wage for Dental Hygienists at $146,760 per year (BLS OEWS May 2025). Seattle, WA ($133,740) and San Diego, CA ($123,790) are next.