Dental Hygienist salary in Rhode Island
Dental Hygienists in Rhode Island earn a median of $86,910 a year ($41.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 770 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,520 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $98,100. Rhode Island ranks 38th 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 $88,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,800 | $40.29 |
| 25th percentile | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Median | $86,910 | $41.78 |
| 75th percentile | $91,160 | $43.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,520 | $48.33 |
| Average (mean) | $88,660 | $42.62 |
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 | $7,242.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,621.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,342.69 |
| Weekly | $1,671.35 |
| Hourly | $41.78 |
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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $89,310 | 1,250 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| Pharmacist | $128,180 | $61.63 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,970 | $65.37 |
| Physicians, All Other | $228,590 | $109.90 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| Physician Assistant | $139,930 | $67.27 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,040 | $48.10 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Veterinarian | $126,570 | $60.85 |
| Dentists, General | $161,560 | $77.67 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,300 | $34.28 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $379,490 | $182.45 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $512,730 | $246.51 |
| Psychiatrist | $287,610 | $138.28 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for dental hygienists in Rhode Island is $86,910 a year, or $41.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $100,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in Rhode Island earn at least $100,520 a year. The top 25% earn $91,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,800 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $84,030 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Rhode Island?
About 770 dental hygienists are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.