Fort Wayne vs South Bend: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)
Compare dental hygienist salaries between Fort Wayne, IN and South Bend, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Fort Wayne, IN | South Bend, IN |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $90,374▲ | $86,733 |
| Hourly Rate | $43.45▲ | $41.70 |
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,847▲ | $82,409 |
| 25th Percentile | $88,181▲ | $84,456 |
| 75th Percentile | $95,779 | $98,455▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $98,612 | $101,855▲ |
| Total Employed | 460▲ | 280 |
Verdict
Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to South Bend.
The salary gap between Fort Wayne and South Bend is $3,641 (4.20%). Fort Wayne's median is -12.21% compared to the US national median of $102,946.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Wayne spans $14,765,South Bend spans $19,446. South Bend has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($97,626 effective) pays 4.52% more than South Bend ($93,404 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Fort Wayne if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($90,374/year)
- ✓Larger job market (460 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,626)
- ✓You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle
Choose South Bend if…
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($101,855)
- ✓You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Fort Wayne grew 26.6% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 16.2% growth in South Bend over the same period.
Fort Wayne, IN
$68,030 (2020) → $86,120 (2025)
South Bend, IN
$71,150 (2020) → $82,650 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Fort Wayne, IN
South Bend, IN
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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