Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Ohio
The median dental hygienist earns $88,990 a year in Ohio ($42.78 an hour), with the middle half earning between $80,980 and $97,210.[1]
25th percentile
$80,980
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$88,990
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$97,210
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $88,990 per year or $42.78/hr at the median. Ohio runs about 9% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in Ohio
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 Ohio earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Ohio hourly | Ohio annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $36.67 | $76,260 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $38.93 | $80,980 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $42.78 | $88,990 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $46.74 | $97,210 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $49.50 | $102,950 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $43.22 | $89,900 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Ohio
8,630
1.55
1.09
How Ohio compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $88,990 in Ohio vs. $98,100 nationally, $9,110 (9%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $76,260 vs. $74,880, 2% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $102,950 vs. $126,050, 18% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 5% in Ohio vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in Ohio
All 15 Ohio 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 |
| Columbus | $96,880 | $90,620–$99,330 | 1,700 |
| Cleveland | $88,990 | $80,910–$93,560 | 1,790 |
| Sandusky | $86,130 | $80,680–$92,540 | 70 |
| Youngstown-Warren | $84,870 | $84,350–$84,890 | 280 |
| Mansfield | $84,640 | $78,940–$91,940 | 90 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | $84,500 | $81,930–$97,440 | 620 |
| Canton-Massillon | $83,180 | $82,290–$90,790 | 270 |
| Akron | $82,970 | $77,010–$94,120 | 460 |
| Springfield | $80,600 | $78,350–$92,160 | 80 |
| Lima | $78,530 | $76,980–$91,470 | 70 |
| Toledo | $76,580 | $74,450–$82,250 | 580 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | $75,240 | $65,360–$79,400 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland | $73,470 | $62,470–$76,820 | 180 |
| Wheeling | $72,540 | $63,110–$81,240 | 110 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Ohio
Ohio's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 5% over 2024–2034, from 8,600 to 9,030 jobs, with about 570 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.
Licensing for dental hygienists in Ohio
Licensing board: Ohio State Dental Board[5] (licenses dentists, dental hygienists and dental auxiliaries)
Path to a license: Graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and submit NBDHE scores plus regional clinical board scores from an approved testing agency such as ADEX.[6]
What drives dental hygienist pay in Ohio
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 Ohio, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Hygienist salary in Ohio: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Ohio?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Ohio was $88,990 ($42.78 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $80,980 and $97,210. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $76,260 and the top 10% earned over $102,950.
Do dental hygienists in Ohio earn more than the national median?
No. The Ohio median of $88,990 is lower than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $9,110 (9%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Ohio metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 15 Ohio metro areas with published BLS data, Cincinnati has the highest median at $102,940 a year. Wheeling has the lowest, at $72,540.
How many dental hygienists work in Ohio?
BLS estimates 8,630 dental hygienists were employed in Ohio in May 2025. That is 1.55 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 Ohio?
Ohio's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 5% over 2024–2034, from 8,600 to 9,030 jobs. That works out to about 570 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Who licenses dental hygienists in Ohio?
The Ohio State Dental Board. In short: graduate from a CODA-accredited dental hygiene program and submit NBDHE scores plus regional clinical board scores from an approved testing agency such as ADEX. Confirm current requirements on the board's website before you apply.
Hiring in Ohio?
Fill dental hygienist roles across every location.
Keep exploring
Other roles in Ohio
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, Ohio long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists
- 5.Ohio State Dental Board
- 6.Ohio State Dental Board, licensure requirements