Dental Hygienist Salary in Alaska: $138,258 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alaska's 5 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $138,258/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Alaska sits at BEA RPP 106.1 (6% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $130,309 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Anchorage ($132,740), Fairbanks ($131,860), Juneau ($102,896).
In 2026, dental hygienists in Alaska earn an average median salary of $138,257, significantly above the national median of $102,946, which translates to a 34.3% increase over the national figure. The highest-paying city is Anchorage at $139,297, while Sitka offers the lowest pay at $100,910, showcasing a salary gap of $38,387. This disparity is often influenced by the cost of living, local demand for dental services, and available employment opportunities. Alaska's dental hygienists must adhere to specific state licensing requirements and enjoy a broad scope of practice, which can increase their responsibilities compared to other regions. Factors driving demand include Alaska's growing population and a heightened awareness of oral health, contributing to job stability and potential growth within the field. With a projected annual growth rate of 4.94%, the job market for dental hygienists in Alaska remains strong. Major cities like Fairbanks and Juneau also offer competitive salaries, with Fairbanks at $138,374 and Juneau at $107,979. Overall, the outlook for dental hygienists in Alaska reflects a promising career path with a solid salary structure and increasing job opportunities.
Alaska Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alaska: $63,583 (lowest entry-level) to $146,853 (highest top earner)
Alaska vs National Average
Alaska dental hygienists earn 34.30% more than the national median (+$35,312/year difference).
Alaska Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Alaska range from $66,746 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $145,947 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $138,258. The Alaska median is $35,312 above the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $66.47/hr. Approximately 575 dental hygienists are employed across 5 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$117,484
2025 BLS Actual
$131,749
2026 Current Est.
$138,258
2020–2027 Growth
+23.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Alaska (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $117,484 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,792 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,902 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,335 | Actual |
| 2024 | $129,629 | Actual |
| 2025 | $131,749 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $138,258 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $145,088 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alaska metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 12.1% from $117,484 (2020) to $131,749 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $145,088 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,604 (23.50%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alaska metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alaska
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Alaska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alaska cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks | $138,374 | 103.208 | $134,073 |
| Anchorage | $139,297 | 105.42 | $132,135 |
| Juneau | $107,979 | 106.1 | $101,771 |
| Wasilla | $100,976 | 106.1 | $95,171 |
| Sitka | $100,910 | 106.1 | $95,108 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alaska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $66,746 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $138,258 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $145,947 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alaska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 5 Cities in Alaska
More Alaska Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Alaska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Alaska?
How does Alaska dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Alaska?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Alaska?
Which Alaska city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
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
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across Alaska. State averages are employment-weighted across 5 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov