Dental Hygienist Salary in Ridgeland, MS: $84,707 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Ridgeland, MS earns a median $84,707/year (≈ $40.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Ridgeland's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $98,841 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected annual compensation for a dental hygienist in Ridgeland, MS, is set at $84,707, which is notably lower than the national median of $102,946. This local salary range spans from $68,501 for the bottom ten percent of earners to $99,667 for those at the top tier. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data highlight the reality of the job market in Ridgeland, which reflects a different scale of pay compared to more urban areas. The local compensation data indicates specific economic conditions affecting salary levels, with a limited pool of five dental hygienists currently employed, emphasizing the competitive landscape within this city.
About the Ridgeland Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($71,723) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,501 | $32.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,965 | $37.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,707 | $40.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,732 | $43.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,667 | $47.92 |
Median Salary Position
17.72% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ridgeland
In Ridgeland, MS, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,166 (2026 est.). At $84,707, the local median is 17.72% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ridgeland: You'd be above the median
How Ridgeland Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Ridgeland median: $84,707/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ridgeland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $88,236 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -17.72% less |
Dental Hygienists in Ridgeland, MS earn a median of $84,707 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.72% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.00% below the Mississippi state average of $88,236.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ridgeland has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ridgeland, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $84,707 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,841 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$54,726
2025 BLS Actual
$80,719
2026 Current Est.
$84,707
2020–2027 Growth
+62.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Ridgeland (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $54,726 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,869 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,244 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,243 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,201 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,719 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,707 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,891 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ridgeland metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 47.5% from $54,726 (2020) to $80,719 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,891 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,165 (62.43%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ridgeland 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) | $68,501 – $76,965 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,965 – $84,707 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,707 – $89,732 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,732 – $99,667 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Ridgeland
The local job market dynamics in Ridgeland are influenced by a cost-of-living index that stands at 85.7, indicating a lower-than-average economic environment which can impact take-home pay. While Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) may offer more lucrative pay packages—often with sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits—solo dental practices and smaller clinics can vary widely based on patient volume and reimbursement structures. The disparity in earnings often hinges on factors such as production-based bonuses linked to periodontal care and recall procedures. To maximize earning potential in the Ridgeland area, dental hygienists should consider opportunities within DSOs, negotiate for better hours, and target practices that prioritize retention and patient care, ensuring they remain competitive within this evolving market.
More salary data for Ridgeland, MS:
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 $80,719 for dental hygienistsin the Ridgeland 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
Salary data for Ridgeland is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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