Dental Hygienist salary in New Mexico
Dental Hygienists in New Mexico earn a median of $95,940 a year ($46.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,420 workers.
Pay ranges from $82,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,440 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $98,100. New Mexico ranks 27th of 50 states for dental hygienists pay. There are 1.6 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $94,890, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in New Mexico
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $82,180 | $39.51 |
| 25th percentile | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| Median | $95,940 | $46.12 |
| 75th percentile | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,440 | $50.69 |
| Average (mean) | $94,890 | $45.62 |
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 | $7,995 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,997.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,690 |
| Weekly | $1,845 |
| Hourly | $46.12 |
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 New Mexico
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Santa Fe, NM | $99,260 | 120 |
| Albuquerque, NM | $95,900 | 810 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in New Mexico
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $94,340 | $45.36 |
| Physicians, All Other | $327,670 | $157.54 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $137,520 | $66.11 |
| Pharmacist | $147,000 | $70.67 |
| Physical Therapist | $106,880 | $51.38 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,690 | $47.45 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,170 | $47.68 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $68,870 | $33.11 |
| Dentists, General | $155,260 | $74.64 |
| Physician Assistant | $139,920 | $67.27 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $228,040 | $109.64 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $74,730 | $35.93 |
| Veterinarian | $129,390 | $62.21 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $405,130 | $194.77 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New Mexico
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 New Mexico?
The median salary for dental hygienists in New Mexico is $95,940 a year, or $46.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $82,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in New Mexico?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in New Mexico earn at least $105,440 a year. The top 25% earn $99,960 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in New Mexico?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $82,180 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $86,300 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in New Mexico?
About 1,420 dental hygienists are employed in New Mexico, not counting the self-employed.