Minot vs Williston: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)
Compare dental hygienist salaries between Minot, ND and Williston, ND. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Minot, ND | Williston, ND |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $94,236▲ | $90,373 |
| Hourly Rate | $45.31▲ | $43.45 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,908▲ | $72,755 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,192▲ | $78,693 |
| 75th Percentile | $101,057▲ | $98,644 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $103,292 | $111,902▲ |
| Total Employed | 60▲ | 7 |
Verdict
Minot, ND offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Williston.
The salary gap between Minot and Williston is $3,863 (4.27%). Minot's median is -8.46% compared to the US national median of $102,946.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Minot spans $15,384,Williston spans $39,147. Williston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Minot ($108,282 effective) pays 10.23% more than Williston ($98,232 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Minot if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($94,236/year)
- ✓Larger job market (60 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,282)
- ✓You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle
Choose Williston if…
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($111,902)
- ✓You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Minot grew 24.7% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 23.1% growth in Williston over the same period.
Minot, ND
$71,990 (2020) → $89,800 (2025)
Williston, ND
$69,948 (2020) → $86,119 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Williston, ND
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays dental hygienists more: Minot or Williston?
What is the hourly rate difference between Minot and Williston?
Should I relocate from Minot to Williston as a dental hygienist?
What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Minot vs Williston?
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.
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