Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Louisiana
The median dental hygienist earns $85,240 a year in Louisiana ($40.98 an hour), with the middle half earning between $79,550 and $96,010.[1]
25th percentile
$79,550
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$85,240
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$96,010
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $85,240 per year or $40.98/hr at the median. Louisiana runs about 13% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Louisiana
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 Louisiana earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Louisiana hourly | Louisiana annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $23.99 | $49,900 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $38.25 | $79,550 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $40.98 | $85,240 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $46.16 | $96,010 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $47.27 | $98,330 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $39.98 | $83,160 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Louisiana
2,690
1.39
0.97
How Louisiana compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $85,240 in Louisiana vs. $98,100 nationally, $12,860 (13%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $49,900 vs. $74,880, 33% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $98,330 vs. $126,050, 22% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): -1.7% in Louisiana vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in Louisiana
All 10 Louisiana metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie | $93,650 | $82,940–$98,020 | 840 |
| Baton Rouge | $92,700 | $82,510–$95,900 | 410 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington | $85,920 | $81,780–$96,430 | 230 |
| Lake Charles | $84,080 | $75,570–$87,460 | 120 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | $82,760 | $81,330–$92,090 | 260 |
| Lafayette | $81,900 | $80,810–$91,520 | 200 |
| Hammond | $81,840 | $80,320–$95,590 | 70 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux | $81,800 | $80,600–$95,240 | 120 |
| Alexandria | $80,330 | $76,270–$88,100 | 80 |
| Monroe | $79,530 | $75,520–$89,420 | 160 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Louisiana
Louisiana's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to change 1.7% over 2024–2034, from 2,770 to 2,720 jobs, with about 160 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 Louisiana
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 Louisiana: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Louisiana?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Louisiana was $85,240 ($40.98 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $79,550 and $96,010. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $49,900 and the top 10% earned over $98,330.
Do dental hygienists in Louisiana earn more than the national median?
No. The Louisiana median of $85,240 is lower than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $12,860 (13%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Louisiana metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 10 Louisiana metro areas with published BLS data, New Orleans-Metairie has the highest median at $93,650 a year. Monroe has the lowest, at $79,530.
How many dental hygienists work in Louisiana?
BLS estimates 2,690 dental hygienists were employed in Louisiana in May 2025. That is 1.39 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.97, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in Louisiana?
Louisiana's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to change 1.7% over 2024–2034, from 2,770 to 2,720 jobs. That works out to about 160 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, Louisiana long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists