Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Connecticut
The median dental hygienist earns $100,690 a year in Connecticut ($48.41 an hour), with the middle half earning between $97,630 and $103,380.[1]
25th percentile
$97,630
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$100,690
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$103,380
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $100,690 per year or $48.41/hr at the median. Connecticut runs about 3% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Connecticut
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 Connecticut earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Connecticut hourly | Connecticut annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $41.92 | $87,190 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $46.94 | $97,630 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $48.41 | $100,690 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $49.70 | $103,380 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $50.97 | $106,020 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $47.46 | $98,720 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Connecticut
3,240
1.91
1.33
How Connecticut compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $100,690 in Connecticut vs. $98,100 nationally, $2,590 (3%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $87,190 vs. $74,880, 16% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $106,020 vs. $126,050, 16% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 6.5% in Connecticut vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in Connecticut
All 5 Connecticut metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury | $103,390 | $102,580–$104,410 | 850 |
| Waterbury-Shelton | $101,670 | $98,320–$102,390 | 380 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford | $98,950 | $97,720–$101,330 | 1,170 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic | $98,630 | $95,240–$101,240 | 230 |
| New Haven | $98,170 | $90,440–$101,030 | 470 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Connecticut
Connecticut's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 6.5% over 2024–2034, from 3,390 to 3,610 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 Connecticut
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
Know your worth, then go get it
Browse open dental hygienist roles in Connecticut, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Hygienist salary in Connecticut: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Connecticut?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Connecticut was $100,690 ($48.41 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $97,630 and $103,380. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $87,190 and the top 10% earned over $106,020.
Do dental hygienists in Connecticut earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Connecticut median of $100,690 is higher than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $2,590 (3%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Connecticut metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 5 Connecticut metro areas with published BLS data, Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury has the highest median at $103,390 a year. New Haven has the lowest, at $98,170.
How many dental hygienists work in Connecticut?
BLS estimates 3,240 dental hygienists were employed in Connecticut in May 2025. That is 1.91 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.33, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in Connecticut?
Connecticut's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 6.5% over 2024–2034, from 3,390 to 3,610 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%.
Hiring in Connecticut?
Fill dental hygienist roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in Connecticut
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, Connecticut long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists