Dental Hygienist Pay

Augusta vs Hinesville: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Augusta, GA and Hinesville, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, GA
$83,784
$40.29/hr
Hinesville, GA
$90,605
$43.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GAHinesville, GA
Median Salary$83,784$90,605
Hourly Rate$40.29$43.56
Entry Level (P10)$66,249$62,796
25th Percentile$78,096$80,122
75th Percentile$95,852$91,119
Top Earner (P90)$99,525$102,988
Total Employed37030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($83,784) and Hinesville ($90,605) dental hygienist salaries.AugustaHinesvilleMedian Salary$83,784$90,605Entry Level (P10)$66,249$62,796Top Earner (P90)$99,525$102,988US Median $102,946

Verdict

Hinesville, GA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Augusta.

The salary gap between Augusta and Hinesville is $6,821 (8.14%). Hinesville's median is -11.99% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $33,276,Hinesville spans $40,192. Hinesville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$66,249
P25$78,096
Median$83,784
P75$95,852
P90 (Top)$99,525
Hinesville
P10 (Entry)$62,796
P25$80,122
Median$90,605
P75$91,119
P90 (Top)$102,988

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hinesville ($96,457 effective) pays 5.80% more than Augusta ($91,166 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $83,784
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $91,166
Hinesville
Nominal: $90,605
CoL Index: 93.933
Adjusted: $96,457

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Hinesville if…

  • Higher median salary ($90,605/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,988)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $96,457)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Augusta grew 34.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 30.8% growth in Hinesville over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+34.8%

$59,220 (2020) → $79,840 (2025)

Hinesville, GA

+30.8%

$65,991 (2020) → $86,340 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Augusta or Hinesville?

Hinesville has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $90,605/year, compared to Augusta at $83,784/year — a difference of $6,821 (8.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Hinesville?

Augusta dental hygienists earn $40.29/hr while Hinesville hygienists earn $43.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Hinesville as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Hinesville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $91,166, Hinesville = $96,457), job availability (370 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Augusta vs Hinesville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $66,249 in Augusta and $62,796 in Hinesville. The Augusta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH

Dental Career Analyst

Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov