Dental Hygienist Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $98,990 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Salt Lake City, UT earns a median $98,990/year (≈ $47.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Salt Lake City's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $98,138 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.5% above the Utah state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average dental hygienist salary in Salt Lake City is projected to be $98,990, slightly below the national median of $102,946. With a salary range from $83,364 at the 10th percentile to $104,678 at the 90th percentile, the pay structure reflects a competitive market for dental hygienists. Important to consider is the cost of living index for Salt Lake City, which sits at 100.868—slightly above the national average. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, indicates that while salaries are robust, the real purchasing power must account for local living costs. Overall, the job market for dental hygienists in Salt Lake City appears promising, driven by the increasing demand for oral healthcare services.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,364 | $40.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,214 | $40.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,990 | $47.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,152 | $48.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,678 | $50.33 |
Median Salary Position
3.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, UT, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,314 (2026 est.). At $98,990, the local median is 3.84% below the national median of $102,946.
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At 40 hours/week in Salt Lake City: You'd be above the median
How Salt Lake City Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Salt Lake City median: $98,990/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salt Lake City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $89,584 | +10.50% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -3.84% less |
Dental Hygienists in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $98,990 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.84% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 10.50% above the Utah state average of $89,584.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salt Lake City has a cost of living 0.87% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 100.868 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $98,990 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,138 — a 0.86% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$74,430
2025 BLS Actual
$94,330
2026 Current Est.
$98,990
2020–2027 Growth
+39.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Salt Lake City (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $74,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,990 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,880 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 26.7% from $74,430 (2020) to $94,330 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,880 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,450 (39.57%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake City 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) | $83,364 – $84,214 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,214 – $98,990 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,990 – $101,152 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,152 – $104,678 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Salt Lake City
With approximately 1,390 dental hygienists currently employed in the area, Salt Lake City’s job market offers a rich opportunity for both new graduates and seasoned professionals. The cost of living may compress actual take-home pay, as local salaries could yield less purchasing power compared with the national average. Among local employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen tend to offer the highest compensation, frequently including production-based bonuses and extensive benefits that can be advantageous for hygienists. Conversely, private practices may fall short on health benefits, which can widen the disparity in overall pay. To maximize earnings, aspiring professionals might consider securing positions with DSOs that provide sign-on bonuses and favorable work schedules. Exploring diverse practice settings—from specialty offices to public health clinics—can also enhance earning potential in Salt Lake City, UT.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $94,330 for dental hygienistsin the Salt Lake City 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