Dental Hygienist Salary in North Dakota: $91,726 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $91,726/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $99,702 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bismarck ($91,600), Grand Forks ($90,761), Minot ($89,800).
In North Dakota, dental hygienists earn an average median salary of $91,726 in 2026, which is about 10.9% lower than the national median of $102,946. The highest paying city in the state is Bismarck, where salaries reach approximately $96,125, while Mandan offers the lowest compensation at $88,519, creating a salary gap of $7,606. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for dental services, and variations in the number of dental practices. Dental hygienists in North Dakota must meet state licensing requirements and adhere to specific scope of practice laws, which can influence job responsibilities and potential earnings. The state's job market for dental hygienists is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.94%, indicating a healthy demand for these professionals. Other significant cities include Grand Forks at $95,245, Minot at $94,236, West Fargo at $93,079, and Dickinson at $92,607, each reflecting a steady demand for dental hygiene services. Overall, North Dakota presents a stable environment for dental hygienists with a positive outlook for career advancement.
North Dakota Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $70,533 (lowest entry-level) to $120,510 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota dental hygienists earn 10.9% less than the national median ($-11,220/year difference).
North Dakota Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in North Dakota range from $82,861 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $103,561 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $91,726. The North Dakota median is $11,220 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $44.10/hr. Approximately 471 dental hygienists are employed across 8 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$73,138
2025 BLS Actual
$87,408
2026 Current Est.
$91,726
2020–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in North Dakota (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $73,138 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,446 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,538 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,837 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,588 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,408 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,726 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,257 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 19.5% from $73,138 (2020) to $87,408 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,257 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,119 (31.61%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mandan | $88,519 |
| Fargo | $88,559 |
| Williston | $90,373 |
| Dickinson | $92,607 |
| West Fargo | $93,079 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minot | $94,236 | 87.028 | $108,282 |
| Bismarck | $96,125 | 91.024 | $105,604 |
| Grand Forks | $95,245 | 92 | $103,527 |
| West Fargo | $93,079 | 92 | $101,173 |
| Dickinson | $92,607 | 92 | $100,660 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $82,861 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $91,726 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $103,561 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismarck | $96,125 |
| 2 | Grand Forks | $95,245 |
| 3 | Minot | $94,236 |
| 4 | West Fargo | $93,079 |
| 5 | Dickinson | $92,607 |
| 6 | Williston | $90,373 |
| 7 | Fargo | $88,559 |
| 8 | Mandan | $88,519 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore dental hygienist hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in North Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in North Dakota?
How does North Dakota dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in North Dakota?
How many dental hygienists are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
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 North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 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, 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