Dental Hygienist salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Dental Hygienists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $97,650 a year ($46.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,400 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 5% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $92,750. There are 1.6 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $91,900, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,760 | $37.87 |
| 25th percentile | $83,430 | $40.11 |
| Median | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| 75th percentile | $98,820 | $47.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| Average (mean) | $91,900 | $44.18 |
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 | $8,137.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,068.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,755.77 |
| Weekly | $1,877.88 |
| Hourly | $46.95 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $100,260 | 6,470 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $92,750 | 1,800 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $87,370 | 80 |
| Columbia, MO | $86,300 | 140 |
| Rockford, IL | $86,120 | 370 |
| Springfield, MO | $85,840 | 360 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $85,290 | 80 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $83,690 | 80 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $83,270 | 120 |
| Springfield, IL | $83,070 | 280 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $82,000 | 280 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $81,110 | 170 |
| Decatur, IL | $80,930 | 60 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $79,610 | 90 |
| Kankakee, IL | $78,430 | 50 |
| Bloomington, IL | $78,220 | 130 |
| Peoria, IL | $77,870 | 270 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,180 | $39.99 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,580 | $63.26 |
| Pharmacist | $138,530 | $66.60 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,600 | $48.37 |
| Physicians, All Other | $246,440 | $118.48 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,770 | $46.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $76,830 | $36.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Physician Assistant | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Dentists, General | $210,430 | $101.17 |
| Veterinarian | $122,460 | $58.87 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,360 | $33.83 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $232,300 | $111.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $97,650 a year, or $46.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $99,400 a year. The top 25% earn $98,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,760 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $83,430 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 2,150 dental hygienists are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.