Dental Hygienist salary in Richmond, VA
Dental Hygienists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $104,250 a year ($50.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $94,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,350 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 1% higher than the Virginia statewide median of $102,950. There are 1.2 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $105,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $94,870 | $45.61 |
| 25th percentile | $102,950 | $49.50 |
| Median | $104,250 | $50.12 |
| 75th percentile | $104,690 | $50.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $119,350 | $57.38 |
| Average (mean) | $105,660 | $50.80 |
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 | $8,687.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,343.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,009.62 |
| Weekly | $2,004.81 |
| Hourly | $50.12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $119,170 | 2,200 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $107,690 | 120 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $100,640 | 100 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $100,620 | 100 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $100,350 | 60 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $98,890 | 940 |
| Roanoke, VA | $98,550 | 170 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $96,990 | 120 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $90,550 | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $82,870 | 210 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $93,580 | $44.99 |
| Physicians, All Other | $284,090 | $136.58 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,820 | $61.45 |
| Pharmacist | $144,940 | $69.68 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,700 | $49.37 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,080 | $46.19 |
| Occupational Therapist | $105,550 | $50.74 |
| Dentists, General | $218,880 | $105.23 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,750 | $39.31 |
| Physician Assistant | $126,810 | $60.97 |
| Veterinarian | $121,670 | $58.50 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $208,750 | $100.36 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $78,900 | $37.93 |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $224,240 | $107.81 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Richmond, VA metro area is $104,250 a year, or $50.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $94,870 for the lowest-paid 10% to $119,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $119,350 a year. The top 25% earn $104,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $94,870 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $102,950 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Richmond, VA?
About 780 dental hygienists are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.