Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Colorado
The median dental hygienist earns $109,580 a year in Colorado ($52.68 an hour), with the middle half earning between $102,580 and $125,470.[1]
25th percentile
$102,580
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$109,580
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$125,470
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $109,580 per year or $52.68/hr at the median. Colorado runs about 12% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Colorado
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 Colorado earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Colorado hourly | Colorado annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46.00 | $95,680 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $49.32 | $102,580 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $52.68 | $109,580 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $60.32 | $125,470 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $61.97 | $128,900 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $52.90 | $110,030 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Colorado
4,270
1.49
1.04
How Colorado compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $109,580 in Colorado vs. $98,100 nationally, $11,480 (12%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $95,680 vs. $74,880, 28% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $128,900 vs. $126,050, 2% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 17.3% in Colorado vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in Colorado
All 7 Colorado metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $130,000 | $110,470–$133,150 | 300 |
| Colorado Springs | $118,410 | $105,090–$125,470 | 500 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $113,760 | $103,360–$126,860 | 2,100 |
| Greeley | $110,080 | $76,590–$119,600 | 140 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $106,650 | $105,060–$115,480 | 450 |
| Grand Junction | $98,910 | $96,970–$114,030 | 170 |
| Pueblo | $98,700 | $96,580–$114,660 | 140 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Colorado
Colorado's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 17.3% over 2024–2034, from 4,480 to 5,250 jobs, with about 370 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 Colorado
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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Browse open dental hygienist roles in Colorado, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Hygienist salary in Colorado: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Colorado?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Colorado was $109,580 ($52.68 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $102,580 and $125,470. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $95,680 and the top 10% earned over $128,900.
Do dental hygienists in Colorado earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Colorado median of $109,580 is higher than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $11,480 (12%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Colorado metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 7 Colorado metro areas with published BLS data, Boulder has the highest median at $130,000 a year. Pueblo has the lowest, at $98,700.
How many dental hygienists work in Colorado?
BLS estimates 4,270 dental hygienists were employed in Colorado in May 2025. That is 1.49 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.04, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in Colorado?
Colorado's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 17.3% over 2024–2034, from 4,480 to 5,250 jobs. That works out to about 370 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, Colorado long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists