One of the many benefits of being a dental hygienist is the salary. Of course, if you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering what states have the highest pay for dental hygienists and we’ll definitely cover that!

 

You might be also thinking about how much a dental hygienist makes per hour, per month, and per year in top states. We’ll cover some of that too. 

 

Or maybe you’re just wondering if you can make good money as a dental hygienist? The answer there is definitely:

 

 

So let’s take a look at which states pay dental hygienists the most and where you can make a 6 figure salary every year! But don’t blame us for your moving costs...

 

Related: Check out our highest-paying dental jobs in 2023.

 

We've compiled a list of the top 10 highest-paying states for dental hygienists, complete with employment rates, hourly averages, and yearly mean salaries. Here, you can also see the top states where hygienists can make 6 figures!

1. Alaska

Alaska is ranked first and the top state for Dental hygienists that can make 6 figures with $115,050 yearly mean compensation, $55.31 hourly mean wage, and 610 employed Dental Hygienists.

The second spot is for California with a $52.87 hourly mean wage, $109,970 annual mean salary, and 17,880 employed Dental Hygienists.

Washington is in third place, with a $45.89 hourly mean wage, a $95,450 yearly mean compensation, and 6,290 Dental Hygienists employed.

With a $45.50 hourly mean compensation, a $94,650 annual mean salary, and 180 employed Dental Hygienists, the District of Columbia finished in fourth.

Nevada is in fifth place, with a $42.96 hourly mean compensation, an annual mean salary of $89,360, and 2,430 employed Dental Hygienists.

6. New Jersey

With a $42.38 hourly mean salary, an annual mean pay of $88,150, and 5,820 employed Dental Hygienists, New Jersey came in sixth.

7. Maryland

Maryland came in seventh place, with a mean hourly wage of $42.09, the annual compensation of $87,540, and 3,730 employed Dental Hygienists.

8. Colorado

Colorado came in eighth place, with a mean hourly wage of $41.89, annual mean compensation of $87,140, and 3,650 employed Dental Hygienists

9. Hawaii

The ninth spot is for Hawaii with a $41.81 hourly mean wage, $86,970 annual mean salary, and employed Dental Hygienists is 980.

10. Oregon

Oregon is ranked tenth, with a $41.56 hourly mean wage, annual mean compensation of $86,450, and 3,310 employed Dental Hygienists.

 

 

We've also put up a list of the top 10 highest-paying metropolitan areas for dental hygienists, complete with employment rates, hourly averages, and annual mean earnings as well.

With a $64.30 average hourly rate, a $133.730 yearly wage compensation, and 170 employed Dental Hygienists, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA scored first.

2. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

San Jose- Sunnyvale- Santa Clara, CA took second place with a mean hourly income of $58.85, an annual mean wage of $120,340, and 1,310 employed Dental Hygienists

With a $57.20 hourly mean income, $118,980 annual mean wage, and 6,290 employed Dental Hygienists, Santa Rosa, CA came in third.

4. Fairbanks, AK

With a $56.61 hourly income, a $117.760 annual mean wage, and 60 employed Dental Hygienists, Fairbanks, Alaska came in fourth.

5. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA

With 2,800 employed Dental Hygienists, a $56.48 hourly mean wage and a $117,470 yearly mean salary, San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA was ranked fifth.

6. Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is in sixth place, with 220 employed Dental Hygienists, an average hourly wage of $56.23, and an average annual salary of $116,960.

7. Vallejo-Fairfield, CA

With 210 employed Dental Hygienists, average hourly compensation of $55.31, and an average yearly salary of $115,050, Vallejo-Fairfield, CA landed in seventh place.

8. Napa, CA

With 140 employed Dental Hygienists, an average hourly wage of $54.75, and an average annual salary of $113,870, Napa, CA is ranked eighth.

9. Bremerton-Silverdale, WA

With 170 employed Dental Hygienists, an average hourly wage of $54,28, and an average annual salary of $112,900, Bremerton-Silverdale, WA is ranked ninth.

10. Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA is in tenth place, with 1,800 dental hygienists working, an average hourly wage of $53.86, and yearly wage compensation of $112,030.

 

 

In addition, we've compiled a list of the top 10 highest-paying nonmetropolitan places for dental hygienists, complete with employment rates, hourly averages, and yearly mean wages.

1. Alaska Nonmetro Area

The nonmetropolitan area of Alaska took first place, with an average hourly wage of $58.82 and an average yearly salary of $122,340.

2. Hawaii / Kauai

The nonmetropolitan area of Hawaii / Kauai came in second with 130 employed Dental Hygienists, an hourly wage of $54.58, and annual compensation of $113,520

3. Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California

The nonmetropolitan area of California's Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region ranks third, with 90 employed Dental Hygienists, an hourly wage of $50.14, and an annual salary of $104,280.

4. Western Washington

The Western Washington nonmetropolitan area ranks fourth, with 250 employed Dental Hygienists, an hourly wage of $49.36, and an annual salary of $102,680.

5. North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California

The nonmetropolitan area of California's North Valley-Northern Mountains Region ranked fifth, with an average hourly wage of $49.15 and an annual salary of $102,230.

6. North Coast Region of California

The North Coast Region of California's nonmetropolitan area ranked sixth, with 110 employed Dental Hygienists, an hourly wage of $48.75, and an annual salary of $101,400.

7. Nevada Nonmetro Area

The seventh place is for the Nevada nonmetropolitan area, which has 210 employed Dental Hygienists, an hourly wage of $48.72, and an annual salary of $101,340.

8. Northwest Colorado

Northwest Colorado's nonmetropolitan area ranked eighth, with 180 Dental Hygienists employed, hourly compensation of $45.02, and an annual salary of $93,650.

9. Arizona Nonmetro Area

Arizona's nonmetropolitan area ranks second to lowest, with 80 Dental Hygienists employed, an hourly wage of $44.63, and an annual salary of $92,830.

10. Southwest Oklahoma

Southwest Oklahoma's nonmetropolitan area ranks tenth, with 70 employed Dental Hygienists, an hourly wage of $43.31, and an annual salary of $90,080.

 

Since you now know which states or locations pay the most for Dental Hygienists, you might want to look into which industries are leading in published employment and wages for Dental Hygienists as well.

 

Maybe you’d like to check out our other articles related to dental hygienists' salaries. Like how this one hygienist made more money. Here are a few more:

From the information we provided above, dental hygienists in California and Alaska are paid the most, with the states of Washington, Nevada, and the District of Columbia close behind.

 

Yes! Dental hygienists in Alaska and California are both reported to make over six figures!

 

According to ZipRecruiter, traveling hygienists make between $39,500 and $94,500 per year.

 

If you’re wondering who makes more money, a nurse or a dental hygienist, the answer is: A Dental Hygienist. A Registered Nurse's annual median salary of $75,330, or $36.22 per hour, while a dental hygienist is $37.06 per hour, and a median salary of $77,090 per year. Of course, that doesn’t mean you won’t find some nurses who make more than a hygienist in different areas of the country.

 

Yes, based on the government poverty thresholds, dental hygienists make enough money to support a household of 3, 4, 5 or even up to 8 people and still be way above the poverty line.