Dental Hygienist salary in Boulder, CO
Dental Hygienists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $130,000 a year ($62.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 300 workers.
Pay ranges from $93,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,460 for the top 10%. That is 33% higher than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 19% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $109,580. There are 1.6 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $122,460, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| 25th percentile | $110,470 | $53.11 |
| Median | $130,000 | $62.50 |
| 75th percentile | $133,150 | $64.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,460 | $64.16 |
| Average (mean) | $122,460 | $58.88 |
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 | $10,833.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,416.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,000 |
| Weekly | $2,500 |
| Hourly | $62.50 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, CO | $118,410 | 500 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $113,760 | 2,100 |
| Greeley, CO | $110,080 | 140 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $106,650 | 450 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $98,910 | 170 |
| Pueblo, CO | $98,700 | 140 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $103,290 | $49.66 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,430 | $49.24 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $131,620 | $63.28 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $138,820 | $66.74 |
| Physician Assistant | $136,540 | $65.64 |
| Occupational Therapist | $123,490 | $59.37 |
| Pharmacist | $164,240 | $78.96 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $297,070 | $142.82 |
| Veterinarian | $132,020 | $63.47 |
| Dentists, General | $180,440 | $86.75 |
| Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | $211,600 | $101.73 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $91,880 | $44.17 |
| Chiropractor | $71,840 | $34.54 |
| Physicians, All Other | $453,460 | $218.01 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
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 Boulder, CO?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Boulder, CO metro area is $130,000 a year, or $62.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $93,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $133,460 a year. The top 25% earn $133,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $93,600 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $110,470 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Boulder, CO?
About 300 dental hygienists are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.