Dental Hygienist Salary in University Place, WA: $126,529 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in University Place, WA earns a median $126,529/year (≈ $60.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in University Place's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $117,811 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In University Place, Washington, the projected median annual dental hygienist salary is $126,529 for 2026, significantly exceeding the national median of $102,946. This higher figure reflects a robust job market for dental hygienists in the area, despite only six professionals currently employed locally. Salaries for this role in University Place range from $97,121 at the 10th percentile to $163,367 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse landscape of compensation opportunities. These salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic factors, highlight the area's demand for skilled dental professionals and suggest potential for continued job growth in the coming years.
About the University Place Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($123,942) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,121 | $46.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $106,674 | $51.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $126,529 | $60.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,710 | $64.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $163,367 | $78.54 |
Median Salary Position
22.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University Place
In University Place, WA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,246 (2026 est.). At $126,529, the local median is 22.91% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University Place: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University Place Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
University Place median: $126,529/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University Place Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $128,980 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +22.91% more |
Dental Hygienists in University Place, WA earn a median of $126,529 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.91% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 1.90% below the Washington state average of $128,980.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University Place has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
University Place, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $126,529 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $117,811 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$96,454
2025 BLS Actual
$120,573
2026 Current Est.
$126,529
2020–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in University Place (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $96,454 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,826 | Actual |
| 2022 | $114,394 | Actual |
| 2023 | $121,315 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,982 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,573 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $126,529 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $132,780 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the University Place metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 25.0% from $96,454 (2020) to $120,573 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $132,780 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,326 (37.66%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University Place 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) | $97,121 – $106,674 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $106,674 – $126,529 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $126,529 – $134,710 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,710 – $163,367 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in University Place
With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, University Place presents both challenges and opportunities for dental hygienists navigating their pay. While the slight increase over the national average suggests a relatively affordable lifestyle, it also emphasizes the need for competitive compensation to maintain purchasing power. Among local employers, multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations like Heartland and Aspen are typically more lucrative compared to solo practices. The variation in salary can be attributed to factors such as the structure of benefits, production-based bonuses tied to patient retention, and working schedules. New dental hygienists in University Place may enhance their earning potential by considering positions in environments that offer comprehensive benefits and incentives. Engaging with professional organizations like the ADHA can also provide networking opportunities to uncover higher-paying roles.
More salary data for University Place, WA:
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 $120,573 for dental hygienistsin the University Place 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 University Place 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