Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Oklahoma
The median dental hygienist earns $97,580 a year in Oklahoma ($46.91 an hour), with the middle half earning between $95,980 and $103,210.[1]
25th percentile
$95,980
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$97,580
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$103,210
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $97,580 per year or $46.91/hr at the median. That's about the same as the national median.
The full pay range in Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Oklahoma hourly | Oklahoma annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39.08 | $81,290 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $46.15 | $95,980 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $46.91 | $97,580 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $49.62 | $103,210 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $57.58 | $119,760 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $47.12 | $98,000 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Oklahoma
2,860
1.67
1.17
How Oklahoma compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $97,580 in Oklahoma vs. $98,100 nationally, about the same.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $81,290 vs. $74,880, 9% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $119,760 vs. $126,050, 5% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 7.8% in Oklahoma vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in Oklahoma
All 4 Oklahoma metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsa | $100,350 | $96,090–$103,780 | 820 |
| Oklahoma City | $97,110 | $96,140–$99,900 | 1,420 |
| Lawton | $92,210 | $85,500–$95,660 | 70 |
| Fort Smith | $84,480 | $80,450–$93,380 | 150 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Oklahoma
Oklahoma's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 7.8% over 2024–2034, from 2,810 to 3,030 jobs, with about 200 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 Oklahoma
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 Oklahoma: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Oklahoma?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Oklahoma was $97,580 ($46.91 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $95,980 and $103,210. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $81,290 and the top 10% earned over $119,760.
Do dental hygienists in Oklahoma earn more than the national median?
About the same. The Oklahoma median of $97,580 is about the same as the U.S. median of $98,100. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Oklahoma metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 4 Oklahoma metro areas with published BLS data, Tulsa has the highest median at $100,350 a year. Fort Smith has the lowest, at $84,480.
How many dental hygienists work in Oklahoma?
BLS estimates 2,860 dental hygienists were employed in Oklahoma in May 2025. That is 1.67 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.17, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 7.8% over 2024–2034, from 2,810 to 3,030 jobs. That works out to about 200 openings a year, including replacements for people who leave the field. The national projection for the same period is 7%.
Hiring in Oklahoma?
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Other roles in Oklahoma
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, Oklahoma long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists