Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in North Dakota
The median dental hygienist earns $90,530 a year in North Dakota ($43.53 an hour), with the middle half earning between $84,020 and $96,170.[1]
25th percentile
$84,020
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$90,530
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$96,170
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $90,530 per year or $43.53/hr at the median. North Dakota runs about 8% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in North Dakota
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 North Dakota earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | North Dakota hourly | North Dakota annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39.85 | $82,890 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $40.39 | $84,020 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $43.53 | $90,530 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $46.24 | $96,170 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $47.37 | $98,530 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $43.15 | $89,750 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in North Dakota
660
1.55
1.08
How North Dakota compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $90,530 in North Dakota vs. $98,100 nationally, $7,570 (8%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $82,890 vs. $74,880, 11% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $98,530 vs. $126,050, 22% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 8.5% in North Dakota vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in North Dakota
All 3 North Dakota metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
Job outlook for dental hygienists in North Dakota
North Dakota's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 8.5% over 2024–2034, from 590 to 640 jobs, with about 40 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 North Dakota
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 North Dakota, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Hygienist salary in North Dakota: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in North Dakota?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in North Dakota was $90,530 ($43.53 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $84,020 and $96,170. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $82,890 and the top 10% earned over $98,530.
Do dental hygienists in North Dakota earn more than the national median?
No. The North Dakota median of $90,530 is lower than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $7,570 (8%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which North Dakota metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 3 North Dakota metro areas with published BLS data, Bismarck has the highest median at $91,600 a year. Fargo has the lowest, at $84,390.
How many dental hygienists work in North Dakota?
BLS estimates 660 dental hygienists were employed in North Dakota in May 2025. That is 1.55 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.08, meaning the role is close to the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in North Dakota?
North Dakota's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 8.5% over 2024–2034, from 590 to 640 jobs. That works out to about 40 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, North Dakota long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists