Dental Hygienist salary in Colorado
Dental Hygienists in Colorado earn a median of $109,580 a year ($52.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $95,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,900 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $98,100. Colorado ranks 7th of 50 states for dental hygienists pay. There are 1.5 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $110,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $95,680 | $46.00 |
| 25th percentile | $102,580 | $49.32 |
| Median | $109,580 | $52.68 |
| 75th percentile | $125,470 | $60.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,900 | $61.97 |
| Average (mean) | $110,030 | $52.90 |
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 | $9,131.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,565.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,214.62 |
| Weekly | $2,107.31 |
| Hourly | $52.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Dental Hygienist salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $130,000 | 300 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,030 | $49.05 |
| Pharmacist | $156,030 | $75.01 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $110,750 | $53.25 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,930 | $63.91 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,720 | $51.31 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,540 | $64.68 |
| Dentists, General | $166,240 | $79.92 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,560 | $127.67 |
| Veterinarian | $130,840 | $62.91 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $86,220 | $41.45 |
| Physicians, All Other | $298,320 | $143.42 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| Chiropractor | $74,040 | $35.60 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for dental hygienists in Colorado is $109,580 a year, or $52.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $95,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,900 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Colorado?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in Colorado earn at least $128,900 a year. The top 25% earn $125,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $95,680 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $102,580 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Colorado?
About 4,270 dental hygienists are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.