Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in Washington
The median dental hygienist earns $131,160 a year in Washington ($63.06 an hour), with the middle half earning between $122,000 and $134,670.[1]
25th percentile
$122,000
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$131,160
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$134,670
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $131,160 per year or $63.06/hr at the median. Washington runs about 34% higher than the national median.
The full pay range in Washington
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 Washington earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | Washington hourly | Washington annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51.49 | $107,090 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $58.65 | $122,000 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $63.06 | $131,160 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $64.75 | $134,670 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $77.91 | $162,050 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $63.24 | $131,530 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in Washington
6,330
1.78
1.24
How Washington compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $131,160 in Washington vs. $98,100 nationally, $33,060 (34%) higher.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $107,090 vs. $74,880, 43% higher.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $162,050 vs. $126,050, 29% higher.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 17% in Washington vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in Washington
All 13 Washington metro areas with published BLS data, highest median first.[2]
| Metro area | Median | Middle half | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $133,740 | $132,850–$160,190 | 3,500 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $131,040 | $114,760–$137,100 | 190 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $127,470 | $119,840–$129,440 | 130 |
| Bellingham | $124,850 | $120,080–$147,740 | 150 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro | $123,100 | $121,800–$128,350 | 2,380 |
| Longview-Kelso | $123,020 | $110,900–$124,440 | 100 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $122,950 | $120,530–$124,230 | 220 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $122,480 | $108,520–$126,410 | 270 |
| Yakima | $120,690 | $105,620–$128,420 | 160 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $118,820 | $105,190–$122,000 | 110 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $116,690 | $108,150–$118,280 | 500 |
| Walla Walla | $106,680 | $99,630–$118,620 | 50 |
| Lewiston | $98,450 | $97,880–$101,310 | 60 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in Washington
Washington's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 17% over 2024–2034, from 7,940 to 9,300 jobs, with about 790 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 Washington
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 Washington, or build a free, ATS-ready resume and get matched to practices that fit how you want to work.
Dental Hygienist salary in Washington: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in Washington?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in Washington was $131,160 ($63.06 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $122,000 and $134,670. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $107,090 and the top 10% earned over $162,050.
Do dental hygienists in Washington earn more than the national median?
Yes. The Washington median of $131,160 is higher than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $33,060 (34%) higher. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which Washington metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 13 Washington metro areas with published BLS data, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has the highest median at $133,740 a year. Lewiston has the lowest, at $98,450.
How many dental hygienists work in Washington?
BLS estimates 6,330 dental hygienists were employed in Washington in May 2025. That is 1.78 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.24, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in Washington?
Washington's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 17% over 2024–2034, from 7,940 to 9,300 jobs. That works out to about 790 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, Washington long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists