Dental Salary Data · BLS OEWS May 2025
Dental Hygienist Salary in West Virginia
The median dental hygienist earns $73,840 a year in West Virginia ($35.50 an hour), with the middle half earning between $63,420 and $76,260.[1]
25th percentile
$63,420
Lower end of the middle half
Median
$73,840
Half earn more, half earn less
75th percentile
$76,260
Upper end of the middle half
That's roughly $73,840 per year or $35.50/hr at the median. West Virginia runs about 25% lower than the national median.
The full pay range in West Virginia
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 West Virginia earn. The U.S. figures are shown alongside for comparison.[1][2]
| Percentile | West Virginia hourly | West Virginia annual | U.S. hourly | U.S. annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28.82 | $59,950 | $36.00 | $74,880 |
| 25th percentile | $30.49 | $63,420 | $40.18 | $83,570 |
| Median | $35.50 | $73,840 | $47.16 | $98,100 |
| 75th percentile | $36.67 | $76,260 | $52.16 | $108,480 |
| 90th percentile | $40.11 | $83,430 | $60.60 | $126,050 |
| Mean (average) | $34.27 | $71,290 | $47.59 | $98,990 |
How many dental hygienists work in West Virginia
1,250
1.78
1.25
How West Virginia compares to the U.S.
- Median pay: $73,840 in West Virginia vs. $98,100 nationally, $24,260 (25%) lower.
- Entry pay (10th percentile): $59,950 vs. $74,880, 20% lower.
- Top pay (90th percentile): $83,430 vs. $126,050, 34% lower.
- Projected job growth (2024–2034): 12.4% in West Virginia vs. 7% nationally.
Dental Hygienist pay by metro area in West Virginia
All 10 West Virginia 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 |
| Winchester | $100,640 | $91,990–$105,700 | 100 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | $83,460 | $76,590–$97,500 | 170 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | $75,240 | $65,360–$79,400 | 50 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna | $74,190 | $63,040–$74,910 | 70 |
| Morgantown | $73,840 | $63,290–$78,880 | 120 |
| Huntington-Ashland | $73,470 | $62,470–$76,820 | 180 |
| Wheeling | $72,540 | $63,110–$81,240 | 110 |
| Charleston | $65,520 | $64,730–$75,190 | 260 |
| Beckley | $64,730 | $60,720–$73,500 | 100 |
Job outlook for dental hygienists in West Virginia
West Virginia's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 12.4% over 2024–2034, from 1,240 to 1,390 jobs, with about 90 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 West Virginia
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 West Virginia: FAQ
How much do dental hygienists make in West Virginia?
The median annual wage for dental hygienists in West Virginia was $73,840 ($35.50 an hour) in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $63,420 and $76,260. The lowest-paid 10% earned under $59,950 and the top 10% earned over $83,430.
Do dental hygienists in West Virginia earn more than the national median?
No. The West Virginia median of $73,840 is lower than the U.S. median of $98,100. That is $24,260 (25%) lower. This is a DSO Hire calculation from BLS figures and does not adjust for cost of living.
Which West Virginia metro area pays dental hygienists the most?
Among the 10 West Virginia metro areas with published BLS data, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria has the highest median at $119,170 a year. Beckley has the lowest, at $64,730.
How many dental hygienists work in West Virginia?
BLS estimates 1,250 dental hygienists were employed in West Virginia in May 2025. That is 1.78 per 1,000 jobs in the state. The location quotient is 1.25, meaning the role is more concentrated than the national average.
Is demand for dental hygienists growing in West Virginia?
West Virginia's official long-term projections expect employment of dental hygienists to grow 12.4% over 2024–2034, from 1,240 to 1,390 jobs. That works out to about 90 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, West Virginia long-term occupational projections 2024–2034: Dental Hygienists
- 4.U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Dental Hygienists