Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Alabama
The median dental hygienist earns $61,160 a year in Alabama ($29.41 an hour), with the middle half earning between $58,800 and $63,410.[1]
25th percentile
$58,800
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$61,160
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$63,410
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $61,160 per year or $29.41/hr at the median. Alabama runs about 38% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Alabama
BLS publishes five points on the pay curve. The 10th percentile is a reasonable read on entry pay, and the 90th shows what the best-paid dental hygienists in Alabama earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Alabama hourly | Alabama annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $23.54 | $48,960 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $28.27 | $58,800 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $29.41 | $61,160 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $30.49 | $63,410 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $34.81 | $72,410 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $29.25 | $60,850 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Alabama
3,170
1.50
1.05
How Alabama compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $61,160 in Alabama vs. $98,100 nationally, $36,940 (38%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $48,960 vs. $74,880, 35% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $72,410 vs. $126,050, 43% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 16.1% in Alabama vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in Alabama
All 13 Alabama metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | $80,240 | $65,150–$83,430 | 240 |
| Huntsville | $62,370 | $61,540–$64,890 | 360 |
| Birmingham | $61,730 | $61,030–$70,500 | 1,150 |
| Decatur | $61,340 | $60,080–$63,080 | 80 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley | $61,000 | $59,660–$62,500 | 160 |
| Mobile | $60,710 | $58,950–$61,280 | 200 |
| Tuscaloosa | $60,500 | $59,010–$61,100 | 130 |
| Auburn-Opelika | $60,490 | $58,890–$61,680 | 90 |
| Montgomery | $60,120 | $58,790–$61,680 | 190 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | $58,660 | $49,290–$59,090 | 80 |
| Dothan | $58,310 | $49,780–$59,850 | 100 |
| Anniston-Oxford | $56,950 | $49,620–$59,740 | 70 |
| Gadsden | $55,840 | $47,130–$57,310 | 60 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Alabama
Alabama's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 16.1% over 2024–2034, from 2,850 to 3,310 jobs, with about 230 openings a year.[3] The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Nationally, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook projects dental hygienist employment to grow 8% over 2025–35, much faster than the average for all occupations, with about 15,000 openings a year.[4]
Openings include replacements for people who retire or change careers, which is why they can far exceed net growth. For what this means for hiring, see The dental hiring shortage, by the numbers.
What drives dental hygienist pay in Alabama
Pay for a dental hygienist depends on experience, setting, and metro. The metro table above shows how much location alone moves the median. Group practices and dental support organizations (DSOs) compete for talent across many locations, and benefits, schedules and bonuses can matter as much as base pay.
Hiring an outside agency is one way practices fill gaps, and it is expensive. See what agencies charge in What dental staffing agencies actually charge.
For dental pros
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Dental Hygienist salary in Alabama: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Alabama?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Alabama was $61,160 ($29.41 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $58,800 and $63,410. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $48,960 and the top 10% earned over $72,410.
Do dental hygienists in Alabama earn more than the national median?
No. The Alabama median of $61,160 is lower than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $36,940 (38%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Alabama metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 13 Alabama metro areas with published BLS data, Columbus has the highest median at $80,240 a year. Gadsden has the lowest, at $55,840.
How many dental hygienists work in Alabama?
BLS estimates 3,170 dental hygienists were employed in Alabama in May 2025. That is 1.50 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.05, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in Alabama?
Alabama's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 16.1% over 2024–2034, from 2,850 to 3,310 jobs. That works out to about 230 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 7%.
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Dental Hygienist salary by state
Sources
- 1.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: Dental Hygienists (29-1292), national, state and metro estimates
- 2.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 time-series data files (percentiles, employment, location quotients)
- 3.Projections Central, Alabama long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists