Dental Hygienist salary in Washington
Dental Hygienists in Washington earn a median of $131,160 a year ($63.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $107,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,050 for the top 10%. That is 34% higher than the national median of $98,100. Washington ranks 3rd of 50 states for dental hygienists pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.8 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $131,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $107,090 | $51.49 |
| 25th percentile | $122,000 | $58.65 |
| Median | $131,160 | $63.06 |
| 75th percentile | $134,670 | $64.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $162,050 | $77.91 |
| Average (mean) | $131,530 | $63.24 |
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 | $10,930 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,465 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,044.62 |
| Weekly | $2,522.31 |
| Hourly | $63.06 |
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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $133,740 | 3,500 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $131,040 | 190 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $127,470 | 130 |
| Bellingham, WA | $124,850 | 150 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $123,100 | 2,380 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $123,020 | 100 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $122,950 | 220 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $122,480 | 270 |
| Yakima, WA | $120,690 | 160 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $118,820 | 110 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $116,690 | 500 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $106,680 | 50 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $98,450 | 60 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $124,200 | $59.71 |
| Pharmacist | $160,610 | $77.22 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Physicians, All Other | $307,170 | $147.68 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,950 | $50.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $105,550 | $50.74 |
| Physician Assistant | $164,360 | $79.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $107,670 | $51.77 |
| Dentists, General | $169,730 | $81.60 |
| Veterinarian | $160,510 | $77.17 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Anesthesiologist | $499,990 | $240.38 |
| Radiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $84,220 | $40.49 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for dental hygienists in Washington is $131,160 a year, or $63.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $107,090 for the lowest-paid 10% to $162,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Washington?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in Washington earn at least $162,050 a year. The top 25% earn $134,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $107,090 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $122,000 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Washington?
About 6,330 dental hygienists are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.