Dental Hygienist Salary in Puerto Rico: $62,250 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Puerto Rico's 1 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $62,250/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Puerto Rico sits at BEA RPP 75.0 (25% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $83,000 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: San Juan ($59,320).
The projected average median salary for dental hygienists in Puerto Rico in 2026 is $62,250, significantly lower than the national median of $102,946, reflecting a 39.5% salary gap. Notably, San Juan, the only metro area in Puerto Rico, offers this median salary across the board, indicating no disparity between the highest and lowest paying cities. The moderate salary can be attributed to the local cost of living and demand for dental health services, despite the overall lower compensation compared to the national average. In Puerto Rico, dental hygienists must navigate specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws. These regulations can influence job responsibilities and the market demand for dental services, which drives opportunities in the field. The projected growth rate for dental hygienist employment in Puerto Rico stands at 4.94% annually, suggesting a steady demand for professionals despite the lower salary bracket. While the salary may not align with national standards, potential candidates should consider the overall job market strength and localized demand for dental care, as this can provide a stable employment environment in the coming years.
Puerto Rico Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Puerto Rico: $38,440 (lowest entry-level) to $83,249 (highest top earner)
Puerto Rico vs National Average
Puerto Rico dental hygienists earn 39.53% less than the national median ($-40,696/year difference).
Puerto Rico Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Puerto Rico range from $38,440 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $83,249 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,250. The Puerto Rico median is $40,696 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $29.93/hr.
2020 Est.
$46,615
2025 BLS Actual
$59,320
2026 Current Est.
$62,250
2020–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Puerto Rico (2020–2027)
2020–2025: estimated from national BLS trend. 2025: local BLS actual. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $46,615 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,051 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,222 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,928 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,998 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,250 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,326 | Projected |
Based on a 4.94% compound annual growth rate derived from BLS historical data, the median dental hygienist salary in Puerto Rico, PR is projected to increase from $46,615 in 2020 to $65,326 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,711 (40.14%).
Note: Historical values (2020–2024) are estimated from national BLS OEWS trends. The 2025 figure is sourced directly from the BLS OEWS survey. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from national BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 1 Highest Paying Cities in Puerto Rico
Salary by Experience Level in Puerto Rico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,440 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,250 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $83,249 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Puerto Rico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 1 Cities in Puerto Rico
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Juan | $62,250 |
More Puerto Rico Salary Data
Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Puerto Rico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Puerto Rico?
How does Puerto Rico dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Puerto Rico?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Puerto Rico?
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 Puerto Rico. State averages are employment-weighted across 1 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 , released .
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