Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Alaska
The median dental hygienist earns $132,690 a year in Alaska ($63.79 an hour), with the middle half earning between $130,340 and $136,450.[1]
25th percentile
$130,340
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$132,690
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$136,450
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $132,690 per year or $63.79/hr at the median. Alaska runs about 35% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Alaska
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 Alaska earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Alaska hourly | Alaska annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29.13 | $60,590 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $62.66 | $130,340 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $63.79 | $132,690 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $65.60 | $136,450 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $66.75 | $138,840 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $58.92 | $122,560 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Alaska
790
2.43
1.70
How Alaska compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $132,690 in Alaska vs. $98,100 nationally, $34,590 (35%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $60,590 vs. $74,880, 19% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $138,840 vs. $126,050, 10% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 9.1% in Alaska vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in Alaska
All 2 Alaska metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anchorage | $132,740 | $130,340–$137,930 | 490 |
| Fairbanks-College | $131,860 | $130,660–$133,190 | 70 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Alaska
Alaska's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 9.1% over 2024–2034, from 590 to 650 jobs, with about 40 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 Alaska
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.
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Dental Hygienist salary in Alaska: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Alaska?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Alaska was $132,690 ($63.79 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $130,340 and $136,450. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $60,590 and the top 10% earned over $138,840.
Do dental hygienists in Alaska earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Alaska median of $132,690 is higher than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $34,590 (35%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Alaska metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 2 Alaska metro areas with published BLS data, Anchorage has the highest median at $132,740 a year. Fairbanks-College has the lowest, at $131,860.
How many dental hygienists work in Alaska?
BLS estimates 790 dental hygienists were employed in Alaska in May 2025. That is 2.43 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.70, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in Alaska?
Alaska's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 9.1% over 2024–2034, from 590 to 650 jobs. That works out to about 40 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Hiring in Alaska?
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Other roles in Alaska
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, Alaska long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists