Healthcare · United States

Dental Hygienist Salary in United States

The United States median is $94,100 per year, with observed city pay up to Washington DC at $131,000.

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Dental Hygienist pay in United States: Washington DC leads, Houston trails

The United States national median for a dental hygienist is $94,100 a year. Among 9 metros with observed data, pay runs from about $79,100 in Houston to $131,000 in Washington DC (1.7×).

Dental hygienists clean teeth, examine for oral disease, and educate patients on oral health. Common screening skills include Cleanings, Radiography, Patient education, and Precision.

A modeled national band runs about $70,400–$123,100 around that midpoint. Many top cash roles in the United States still run through employer sponsorship and specialty licensing. Employment outlook for the occupation is sketched at +9% over a decade — a national demand guess, not a hiring guarantee in every American city.

Washington DC sits +39% vs the national median; Houston sits -16%. Relocating inside United States for this title can move cash more than a small raise at the same desk. Open a city page for take-home and rent context — this national page is the map, not the offer.

United States shows about 2.9% CPI in 2024. A dental hygienist raise that trails inflation is a real-pay cut even if it still beats last year’s peers. This occupation is also covered in 39 other countries — useful for remote or relocation shortlists, after FX and local tax. Nearby healthcare titles on this site include Registered Nurse, Nurse Practitioner, Physician, and Pharmacist.

How to use Dental Hygienist pay data in United States

Start with the national median ($94,100), then pick the metro where you would actually work. Observed city rows below are stronger than a pay-index guess. If your city is missing, stay on this page for the country figure and check the United States hub for other careers.

Convert gross through the salary calculator before comparing two cities — tax and rent often reorder a cash ranking. Figures are estimates for research, not employer bands.

National band vs top metro

National sketch: $70,400 (10th) → $94,100 (median) → $123,100 (90th). Washington DC’s observed median is $131,000, with a local band about $92,500–$185,000. If an offer is “at the United States median” but the job is in Washington DC, you may still be under local market.

National median
$94,100
per year
Monthly (national)
$7,800
per month, before tax
Highest-paying city
$131,000
Washington DC, DC
Hourly (national)
$45.24
varies by city

Dental Hygienist salary by city in United States

Cities below have observed metro percentiles for this role. Prefer these over national-only estimates when you are relocating to a specific market.

CityPer year
Washington DC, DC$131,000
San Diego, CA$119,000
Los Angeles, CA$103,000
Philadelphia, PA$93,600
Chicago, IL$91,200
Phoenix, AZ$89,600
Dallas, TX$81,500
San Antonio, TX$80,400
Houston, TX$79,100

Dental Hygienist salary in other countries

Related Healthcare salaries in United States

Frequently asked questions

How much does a dental hygienist make in United States?
The national median is about $94,100 per year. Across 9 observed cities, pay ranges from about $79,100 to $131,000.
Which United States city pays dental hygienists the most?
Washington DC, DC leads observed metros at about $131,000 per year (+39% vs national).
Which United States city pays dental hygienists the least?
Among observed cities, Houston, TX is on the lower end at about $79,100 per year.
How many United States cities have dental hygienist salary data?
9 metros list observed dental hygienist percentiles in USD on this site.
Is dental hygienist in demand in United States?
Occupation-level employment is projected at about +9% over ten years. Local hiring still follows American industry mix.