Dental Hygienist salary in Albuquerque, NM
Dental Hygienists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn a median of $95,900 a year ($46.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 810 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,770 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is about the same as the New Mexico statewide median of $95,940. There are 2.0 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $94,360, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Albuquerque, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,670 | $40.23 |
| 25th percentile | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| Median | $95,900 | $46.10 |
| 75th percentile | $99,950 | $48.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,770 | $48.45 |
| Average (mean) | $94,360 | $45.36 |
Half of dental hygienists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,991.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,995.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,688.46 |
| Weekly | $1,844.23 |
| Hourly | $46.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Hygienist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $99,260 | 120 |
| Farmington, NM | $90,420 | 120 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $82,120 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
See Dental Hygienist pay in every state or the New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albuquerque, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $96,040 | $46.17 |
| Physicians, All Other | $327,670 | $157.54 |
| Pharmacist | $147,000 | $70.67 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $140,950 | $67.77 |
| Physical Therapist | $103,510 | $49.76 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $99,160 | $47.68 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,170 | $47.68 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $68,870 | $33.11 |
| Dentists, General | $141,580 | $68.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $139,920 | $67.27 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,590 | $36.34 |
| Veterinarian | $140,200 | $67.40 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $185,200 | $89.04 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $405,130 | $194.77 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Albuquerque, NM
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental hygienist make in Albuquerque, NM?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area is $95,900 a year, or $46.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Albuquerque, NM?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Albuquerque, NM metro area earn at least $100,770 a year. The top 25% earn $99,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Albuquerque, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,670 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $86,300 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Albuquerque, NM?
About 810 dental hygienists are employed in the Albuquerque, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.