Dental Hygienist Salary by State (2025 Guide)
How much do dental hygienists earn across the United States? This guide breaks down the average annual salary for registered dental hygienists in every state, plus the national benchmark and how to use the numbers to negotiate your own pay.
National benchmark
$87,530 annual mean wage
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, occupation 29-1292 (Dental Hygienists). State figures below are approximate annual means rounded to the nearest thousand.
Top 5 highest-paying states
- Alaska — $119,000
- California — $119,000
- Washington — $110,000
- Nevada — $109,000
- District of Columbia — $100,000
5 lowest-paying states
- Alabama — $57,000
- Mississippi — $60,000
- West Virginia — $67,000
- Louisiana — $70,000
- Georgia — $70,000
Dental hygienist salary by state — full table
| State | Annual mean wage | vs. national avg. |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $57,000 | -35% |
| Alaska | $119,000 | +36% |
| Arizona | $90,000 | +3% |
| Arkansas | $76,000 | -13% |
| California | $119,000 | +36% |
| Colorado | $96,000 | +10% |
| Connecticut | $84,000 | -4% |
| Delaware | $81,000 | -7% |
| District of Columbia | $100,000 | +14% |
| Florida | $71,000 | -19% |
| Georgia | $70,000 | -20% |
| Hawaii | $99,000 | +13% |
| Idaho | $78,000 | -11% |
| Illinois | $80,000 | -9% |
| Indiana | $76,000 | -13% |
| Iowa | $76,000 | -13% |
| Kansas | $78,000 | -11% |
| Kentucky | $71,000 | -19% |
| Louisiana | $70,000 | -20% |
| Maine | $81,000 | -7% |
| Maryland | $95,000 | +9% |
| Massachusetts | $96,000 | +10% |
| Michigan | $73,000 | -17% |
| Minnesota | $84,000 | -4% |
| Mississippi | $60,000 | -31% |
| Missouri | $78,000 | -11% |
| Montana | $84,000 | -4% |
| Nebraska | $79,000 | -10% |
| Nevada | $109,000 | +25% |
| New Hampshire | $90,000 | +3% |
| New Jersey | $95,000 | +9% |
| New Mexico | $92,000 | +5% |
| New York | $92,000 | +5% |
| North Carolina | $79,000 | -10% |
| North Dakota | $79,000 | -10% |
| Ohio | $75,000 | -14% |
| Oklahoma | $78,000 | -11% |
| Oregon | $99,000 | +13% |
| Pennsylvania | $75,000 | -14% |
| Rhode Island | $91,000 | +4% |
| South Carolina | $71,000 | -19% |
| South Dakota | $75,000 | -14% |
| Tennessee | $75,000 | -14% |
| Texas | $81,000 | -7% |
| Utah | $78,000 | -11% |
| Vermont | $79,000 | -10% |
| Virginia | $92,000 | +5% |
| Washington | $110,000 | +26% |
| West Virginia | $67,000 | -23% |
| Wisconsin | $76,000 | -13% |
| Wyoming | $82,000 | -6% |
How to use this guide
Use your state's mean as a starting point, then adjust for years of experience, metro vs. rural setting, specialty (perio, pediatric), and benefits like PTO, CE allowance, retirement match, and health coverage. A $5/hr difference at 32 hours/week is ~$8,300/year, so small hourly changes add up fast.
Negotiating your pay
- Anchor on the state mean above and the national benchmark of $87,530.
- Bring production numbers — hygiene production per day is the strongest leverage in a negotiation.
- Ask for total comp, not just the hourly rate: PTO, CE, scrubs, retirement match, and health all matter.
- Compare against live offers in your market by browsing open dental hygienist jobs on DentiHire.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average dental hygienist salary in the U.S.?
The national mean annual wage for dental hygienists is approximately $87,530 based on the most recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. Pay varies widely by state, metro area, years of experience, and practice setting.
Which states pay dental hygienists the most?
Alaska, California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada consistently report the highest mean wages for dental hygienists — typically $100,000+. Cost of living in those states is also higher, so always compare salary against local cost-of-living indexes.
How is dental hygienist pay structured?
Dental hygienists are most often paid hourly or on a day rate. Annual figures in this guide are the mean equivalent — actual take-home depends on hours worked, benefits, production bonuses, and whether the role is W-2 or 1099 temp.
Does experience meaningfully change pay?
Yes. Hygienists with 5+ years of experience typically earn 10–25% above the state mean, and lead hygienists or hygiene coordinators can earn more through bonuses and benefits.
How can I benchmark my own salary?
Compare your hourly rate against your state's mean wage, then factor in benefits (PTO, CE allowance, retirement match, health) and practice volume. If you're considering a move, browse open dental hygienist roles on DentiHire to see live wage offers in your market.
Ready to find a better-paying role?
Browse verified dental hygienist openings across the U.S. on DentiHire.
Browse dental hygienist jobsData sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), occupation code 29-1292 (Dental Hygienists). State means are approximate and rounded; check bls.gov for the latest official figures.