Dental Hygienist Salary in 2026: How Much Do Hygienists Make?

Quick answer: Dental hygienists earn a national average of $47.16 an hour ($98,100 a year), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 data). Hygienists picking up temp shifts through Teero average $57.48 an hour in 2026. Data updated monthly; current as of 2026.

Highest-paying cities for dental hygienists

Among the large metros Teero tracks, these had the highest average temp hygienist hourly rates in 2026:

• Seattle, WA — $91.59/hr
• Denver, CO — $78.45/hr
• Los Angeles, CA — $76.18/hr
• Minneapolis, MN — $74.62/hr
• New York, NY — $72.90/hr

These are examples among the highest-paying metros we track, not an exhaustive top 15 — see the full state-by-state and city breakdown below for all 2,710 cities.

What is the average dental hygienist salary in 2026?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, dental hygienists earned a median of $98,100 a year in 2025, or $47.16 an hour. The lowest-paid 10 percent earned under $74,880 and the highest-paid 10 percent more than $126,050.

Teero’s own data tells the temp side of the story. Across the 2,710 U.S. cities where hygienists pick up shifts through Teero, the average city rate in 2026 is $57.48 an hour, and 80 percent of metros fall between $44 and $73.

This places dental hygiene among the well-compensated healthcare support professions.

But how does income vary according to region?

Here is every state, ranked by the average hourly rate hygienists earned on Teero shifts in 2026. Click a state for the city-by-city breakdown:

Method: each state figure is the average of the city averages Teero tracks in that state, 2,710 cities nationwide, based on hourly pay for temp hygienist shifts. Figures update monthly. Puerto Rico and other territories are excluded.

Factors Affecting Dental Hygienist Salaries

Dental hygienist salaries can vary depending on various factors, such as where you live and years of experience.

Geographic Location and Cost of Living

Where you practice greatly affects your earning potential as a dental hygienist.

Teero’s 2026 shift data shows the same pattern. The highest average hourly rates are in Alaska ($84.02), Nevada ($73.92), Washington ($72.93), Vermont ($72.76) and Oregon ($71.18). The lowest are in Alabama ($41.38), West Virginia ($44.46), Mississippi ($44.60) and Tennessee ($46.43). The full ranking is in the table above.

However, these higher salaries often correlate with increased living costs, so factor this into your calculations.

Experience and Education

Your years of experience impact your earning potential. DentalPost reports that entry-level hygienists (under four years of experience) have an average hourly wage of $48.

But those with 14 to 19 years of experience earn considerably more, with an hourly wage of $59.

Advanced education and specialized skills, such as expertise in periodontics or anesthesia certification, lead to higher pay. You can also find higher-paying temp opportunities on dental staffing apps like Teero.

Work Setting and Employment Type

The type of practice you work in affects your pay. Private general practices account for most jobs. Specialty practices such as periodontics, corporate groups and DSOs, public health clinics and outpatient centers each pay on their own scale, and temp staffing through a platform typically pays a higher hourly rate than a salaried role in the same office because no benefits are attached.

Pay Structure Models

Dental practices offer various compensation models:

• Base hourly plus commission: Provides a guaranteed minimum wage with additional commission for exceeding production goals.
• Straight commission: Offers a percentage of total production, which maximizes your earning potential but comes with increased income variability.
• Hourly plus bonus: Combines steady base pay with performance bonuses ranging from 10-20% of billed services.
• Hourly pay: Provides a fixed hourly rate for all hours worked, offering consistent and predictable income without reliance on performance-based incentives.

Additional Benefits

When evaluating total compensation, consider that only 36% of dental hygienists receive medical benefits, while 24% receive dental benefits. This benefits gap can affect your overall compensation, so consider it while negotiating your salary.

Market Demand and Growth

Demand for dental hygienists in your area can affect salary levels.

Although the profession is experiencing rapid growth, demand still varies regionally. Areas with higher demand typically offer more competitive salaries and additional incentives to attract qualified professionals.

Types of Benefits and Additional Compensation

When you understand how benefits work in dental hygiene, it’ll be easier to weigh career opportunities and earn more.

Traditional Benefits

Benefits vary between full-time and part-time positions. Full-time hygienists typically receive more comprehensive packages that include:

• Health coverage
• Dental benefits
• Retirement planning

Professional Development

Many dental practices support continuing education and professional growth by offering benefits such as tuition reimbursement for continuing education, coverage for professional association memberships, and funding for conferences and seminars.

Work Schedule Flexibility

Work schedule flexibility varies depending on your employment arrangement. Full-time positions typically offer more structured schedules along with better benefits.

On the other hand, part-time opportunities give you more control over the rest of your schedule.

For example, if you sign up with a dental staffing platform like Teero, you can find temporary hygienist positions in your area and pick up shifts as needed.

Other Compensation

Beyond base pay, many practices provide additional compensation, including performance bonuses, production incentives, uniform or scrub allowances, and paid continuing education time.

Career Growth and Earning Potential

As you gain experience and expand your skill set as a dental hygienist, your earning potential increases.

Advanced education and certifications can lead to higher pay and open up opportunities beyond clinical practice, including roles in dental office management, education, and research.

Specializing in certain areas or taking on expanded functions in states that allow it can further boost your earnings.

Temp shifts vs. full-time pay in 2026

Teero’s shift data covers temp work, which is priced differently from a salaried position. Across the 2,710 cities we track, the average city rate is $57.48 an hour, and large metros run well above it: Seattle ($91.59), Denver ($78.45), Los Angeles ($76.18), Minneapolis ($74.62) and New York ($72.90). The BLS median for all dental hygienists, most of them in full-time roles, is $47.16 an hour for 2025.

Temp rates run higher because the office is paying for flexibility and covering a gap on short notice, and because a temp shift does not come with paid time off, health coverage or a retirement match. When you compare offers, price those benefits in. Many hygienists mix the two: a part-time salaried role for the benefits, plus temp shifts for the higher hourly rate.

W-2 vs. 1099: what it means for your take-home

Some staffing platforms pay hygienists as 1099 contractors. The hourly number can look higher, but you owe both halves of Social Security and Medicare tax (15.3 percent combined), carry your own liability insurance, and get no workers’ compensation. As a W-2 employee, your employer pays its share of those taxes and covers workers’ comp and malpractice insurance. Every hygienist on Teero is a W-2 employee, so the rate you see is closer to what you keep. Read our full W-2 vs. 1099 breakdown.

Boost Your Career and Find Flexible Opportunities with Teero

Dental hygiene offers strong earning potential and flexible opportunities. But finding the right job with the flexibility and pay you want can be challenging.

Teero’s dental staffing platform makes it easy for you to take control of your career. Choose when and where you work, enjoy competitive pay, and access benefits like malpractice insurance and employer-paid taxes.

Download the Teero app today and discover opportunities that match your professional goals.