Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Indiana
The median dental hygienist earns $92,330 a year in Indiana ($44.39 an hour), with the middle half earning between $81,250 and $99,020.[1]
25th percentile
$81,250
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$92,330
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$99,020
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $92,330 per year or $44.39/hr at the median. Indiana runs about 6% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Indiana
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 Indiana earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Indiana hourly | Indiana annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36.04 | $74,970 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $39.06 | $81,250 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $44.39 | $92,330 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $47.61 | $99,020 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $49.17 | $102,280 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $43.11 | $89,660 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Indiana
5,020
1.57
1.09
How Indiana compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $92,330 in Indiana vs. $98,100 nationally, $5,770 (6%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $74,970 vs. $74,880, about the same.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $102,280 vs. $126,050, 19% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 6% in Indiana vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in Indiana
All 15 Indiana metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | $102,940 | $94,280–$103,820 | 1,700 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin | $100,260 | $86,330–$102,340 | 6,470 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood | $97,470 | $91,510–$100,860 | 1,780 |
| Kokomo | $94,230 | $80,430–$97,140 | 80 |
| Elkhart-Goshen | $92,050 | $81,310–$95,850 | 160 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette | $91,750 | $80,140–$100,340 | 150 |
| Muncie | $91,060 | $78,920–$99,160 | 70 |
| Bloomington | $86,280 | $79,280–$95,280 | 130 |
| Fort Wayne | $86,120 | $84,030–$91,270 | 460 |
| Columbus | $84,810 | $76,110–$95,370 | 70 |
| Evansville | $82,800 | $80,020–$91,820 | 200 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka | $82,650 | $80,480–$93,820 | 280 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County | $81,390 | $77,040–$97,160 | 780 |
| Michigan City-La Porte | $80,640 | $78,070–$96,140 | 60 |
| Terre Haute | $79,210 | $76,410–$89,510 | 90 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Indiana
Indiana's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 6% over 2024–2034, from 5,360 to 5,690 jobs, with about 360 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 Indiana
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 Indiana, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Hygienist salary in Indiana: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Indiana?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Indiana was $92,330 ($44.39 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $81,250 and $99,020. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $74,970 and the top 10% earned over $102,280.
Do dental hygienists in Indiana earn more than the national median?
No. The Indiana median of $92,330 is lower than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $5,770 (6%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Indiana metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 15 Indiana metro areas with published BLS data, Cincinnati has the highest median at $102,940 a year. Terre Haute has the lowest, at $79,210.
How many dental hygienists work in Indiana?
BLS estimates 5,020 dental hygienists were employed in Indiana in May 2025. That is 1.57 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.09, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in Indiana?
Indiana's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 6% over 2024–2034, from 5,360 to 5,690 jobs. That works out to about 360 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Hiring in Indiana?
Fill dental hygienist roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in Indiana
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, Indiana long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists