Dental Hygienist Salary in Dayton, OH: $88,674 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Dayton, OH earns a median $88,674/year (≈ $42.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Dayton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $95,663 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in Dayton, Ohio, is $88,674, which reflects a notable adjustment when compared to the national median of $102,946. The local salary range runs from $83,217 at the 10th percentile to $102,264 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys and highlights the real-world implications of earnings in Dayton. With a cost-of-living index of 92.694, the relative purchasing power of dental hygienists in this city presents unique financial opportunities and challenges, particularly as the local job market holds approximately 620 employed professionals in this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,217 | $40.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,977 | $41.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,674 | $42.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,254 | $49.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,264 | $49.16 |
Median Salary Position
13.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dayton
In Dayton, OH, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,047 (2026 est.). At $88,674, the local median is 13.86% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dayton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dayton Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Dayton median: $88,674/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dayton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $88,763 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -13.86% less |
Dental Hygienists in Dayton, OH earn a median of $88,674 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.86% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.10% below the Ohio state average of $88,763.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dayton has a cost of living 7.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dayton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 92.694 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $88,674 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,663 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.88% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2020 BLS Actual
$70,560
2025 BLS Actual
$84,500
2026 Current Est.
$88,674
2020–2027 Growth
+31.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Dayton (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $70,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,260 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,810 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,674 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,055 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dayton metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 19.8% from $70,560 (2020) to $84,500 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,055 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,495 (31.88%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dayton 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $83,217 – $85,977 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,977 – $88,674 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,674 – $102,254 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,254 – $102,264 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Dayton
Analyzing the salary landscape further reveals how the employment sector influences compensation structures among dental hygienists in Dayton, OH. With a cost of living below the national average, the market conditions enable hygienists to have a stronger take-home salary equilibrium. Employers including Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often offer the highest pay, attracting dental hygienists with enticing sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits, unlike many solo practices. Factors contributing to the salary range include production-based bonuses related to patient retention and varying work schedules, such as a 4-day week versus a traditional 5-day schedule, which can significantly impact overall pay. To maximize their dental hygienist pay in Dayton, professionals should consider specializing in areas such as pediatrics or periodontal care and may benefit from engaging with DSOs for roles that provide substantial benefits and bonuses.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Dayton, OH in 2026?
Is Dayton, OH a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Dayton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Dayton?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Dayton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $84,500 for dental hygienistsin the Dayton metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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