Dental Hygienist Pay

Evans vs Fort Collins: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Evans, CO and Fort Collins, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Evans, CO
$106,984
$51.43/hr
Fort Collins, CO
$111,919
$53.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEvans, COFort Collins, CO
Median Salary$106,984$111,919
Hourly Rate$51.43$53.80
Entry Level (P10)$88,688$109,851
25th Percentile$94,833$110,250
75th Percentile$117,255$121,185
Top Earner (P90)$132,604$128,037
Total Employed5450
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Evans ($106,984) and Fort Collins ($111,919) dental hygienist salaries.EvansFort CollinsMedian Salary$106,984$111,919Entry Level (P10)$88,688$109,851Top Earner (P90)$132,604$128,037US Median $102,946

Verdict

Fort Collins, CO offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Evans.

The salary gap between Evans and Fort Collins is $4,935 (4.61%). Fort Collins's median is +8.72% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Evans spans $43,916,Fort Collins spans $18,186. Evans has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Evans
P10 (Entry)$88,688
P25$94,833
Median$106,984
P75$117,255
P90 (Top)$132,604
Fort Collins
P10 (Entry)$109,851
P25$110,250
Median$111,919
P75$121,185
P90 (Top)$128,037

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Collins ($110,671 effective) pays 8.62% more than Evans ($101,890 effective).

Evans
Nominal: $106,984
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $101,890
Fort Collins
Nominal: $111,919
CoL Index: 101.128
Adjusted: $110,671

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Evans if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($132,604)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Collins if…

  • Higher median salary ($111,919/year)
  • Larger job market (450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $110,671)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Evans grew 23.9% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 25.8% growth in Fort Collins over the same period.

Evans, CO

+23.9%

$82,286 (2020) → $101,948 (2025)

Fort Collins, CO

+25.8%

$84,780 (2020) → $106,650 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Evans or Fort Collins?

Fort Collins has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $111,919/year, compared to Evans at $106,984/year — a difference of $4,935 (4.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Evans and Fort Collins?

Evans dental hygienists earn $51.43/hr while Fort Collins hygienists earn $53.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Evans to Fort Collins as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Evans and Fort Collins. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Evans = $101,890, Fort Collins = $110,671), job availability (5 vs 450 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Evans vs Fort Collins?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $88,688 in Evans and $109,851 in Fort Collins. The Fort Collins area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH

Dental Career Analyst

Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov