Dental Hygienist salary in the United States
National median pay
$98,100/year
about $47.16 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $83,570 – $108,480
National pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $74,880 | $36.00 |
| 25th | $83,570 | $40.18 |
| Median (50th) | $98,100 | $47.16 |
| 75th | $108,480 | $52.15 |
| 90th (top earners) | $126,050 | $60.60 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Pay by city
Highest median pay: San Francisco ($146,760). Lowest of the cities we track: Pittsburgh ($75,960).
| Metro area | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $146,760 | $130,200 – $154,920 |
| San Jose, CA | $139,990 | $131,080 – $155,770 |
| Seattle, WA | $133,740 | $132,850 – $160,190 |
| San Diego, CA | $123,790 | $121,380 – $126,820 |
| Portland, OR | $123,100 | $121,800 – $128,350 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $122,980 | $107,570 – $130,570 |
| Sacramento, CA | $122,540 | $122,250 – $126,660 |
| Washington, DC | $119,170 | $103,340 – $125,560 |
| Baltimore, MD | $116,130 | $104,990 – $121,660 |
| Denver, CO | $113,760 | $103,360 – $126,860 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $112,630 | $103,130 – $116,960 |
| New York, NY | $109,720 | $105,990 – $121,700 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $109,210 | $102,770 – $121,730 |
| Austin, TX | $105,480 | $94,630 – $119,690 |
| Houston, TX | $104,930 | $99,220 – $107,200 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $102,520 | $99,410 – $107,880 |
| Boston, MA | $101,990 | $98,480 – $106,820 |
| Dallas, TX | $101,870 | $89,240 – $116,400 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $100,820 | $96,560 – $103,480 |
| Atlanta, GA | $100,370 | $95,110 – $102,560 |
| Chicago, IL | $100,260 | $86,330 – $102,340 |
| San Antonio, TX | $98,480 | $84,170 – $102,900 |
| Charlotte, NC | $98,390 | $96,680 – $101,470 |
| St. Louis, MO | $97,650 | $83,430 – $98,820 |
| Tampa, FL | $95,870 | $84,010 – $97,600 |
| Nashville, TN | $94,030 | $80,380 – $97,510 |
| Orlando, FL | $92,560 | $77,770 – $94,380 |
| Detroit, MI | $84,480 | $80,360 – $96,340 |
| Miami, FL | $82,780 | $79,780 – $93,340 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $75,960 | $75,510 – $79,200 |
Pay depends a lot on location, so compare an on-site job with its local figures. For fully remote jobs, national pay is usually the fairest comparison.
🏆 Best paying cities for dental hygienists, after cost of living →
Is your offer fair?
$
- Below market under $83,570 ($40.18/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $83,570 to $108,480 ($40.18 to $52.15/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $108,480 ($52.15/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Many hygienists work part-time or across several offices, so compare hourly rates, not just yearly totals.
- Ask how long each appointment slot is. Short slots mean a faster, harder day for the same pay.
- Check whether you're paid for days the office closes or patients cancel.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025. Occupation: Dental Hygienists (SOC 29-1292). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.