Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Maryland
The median dental hygienist earns $107,830 a year in Maryland ($51.84 an hour), with the middle half earning between $103,150 and $120,070.[1]
25th percentile
$103,150
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$107,830
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$120,070
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $107,830 per year or $51.84/hr at the median. Maryland runs about 10% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Maryland
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 Maryland earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Maryland hourly | Maryland annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $41.08 | $85,440 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $49.59 | $103,150 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $51.84 | $107,830 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $57.73 | $120,070 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $59.01 | $122,740 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $52.45 | $109,090 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Maryland
3,500
1.27
0.88
How Maryland compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $107,830 in Maryland vs. $98,100 nationally, $9,730 (10%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $85,440 vs. $74,880, 14% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $122,740 vs. $126,050, 3% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 8.5% in Maryland vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in Maryland
All 6 Maryland metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | $119,170 | $103,340–$125,560 | 2,200 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson | $116,130 | $104,990–$121,660 | 1,900 |
| Lexington Park | $104,460 | $100,340–$122,150 | 130 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | $100,820 | $96,560–$103,480 | 4,180 |
| Salisbury | $97,310 | $85,780–$109,080 | 50 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | $83,460 | $76,590–$97,500 | 170 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Maryland
Maryland's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 8.5% over 2024–2034, from 3,480 to 3,780 jobs, with about 250 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 Maryland
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 Maryland, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Hygienist salary in Maryland: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Maryland?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Maryland was $107,830 ($51.84 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $103,150 and $120,070. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $85,440 and the top 10% earned over $122,740.
Do dental hygienists in Maryland earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Maryland median of $107,830 is higher than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $9,730 (10%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Maryland metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 6 Maryland metro areas with published BLS data, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has the highest median at $119,170 a year. Hagerstown-Martinsburg has the lowest, at $83,460.
How many dental hygienists work in Maryland?
BLS estimates 3,500 dental hygienists were employed in Maryland in May 2025. That is 1.27 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 0.88, meaning the role is less concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in Maryland?
Maryland's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 8.5% over 2024–2034, from 3,480 to 3,780 jobs. That works out to about 250 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Hiring in Maryland?
Fill dental hygienist roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in Maryland
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, Maryland long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists