The average annual salary for dental hygienists has increased each of the last five years, jumping from $77,230 in 2019 to $89,890 in 2023, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Dental hygienists earned the most in Alaska from 2019-2022 and in Washington in 2023.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics released updated compensation data April 3 to reflect May 2023 information, the latest available.
Here is the average annual salary for dental hygienists, along with the average earnings in the highest-paying state in each year since 2019:
Mean annual wage: $77,230
Mean hourly wage: $37.13
Highest-paying state: Alaska, annual wage of $114,790
Mean annual wage: $78,050
Mean hourly wage: $37.53
Highest-paying state: Alaska, annual wage of $115,050
Mean annual wage: $81,360
Mean hourly wage: $39.12
Highest-paying state: Alaska, annual wage of $115,510
Mean annual wage: $84,860
Mean hourly wage: $40.80
Highest-paying state: Alaska, annual wage of $113,770
Mean annual wage: $89,890
Mean hourly wage: $43.21
Highest-paying state: Washington, annual wage of $123,510