Dental Hygienist Salary in Hays, KS: $87,615 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Hays, KS earns a median $87,615/year (≈ $42.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Hays's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $96,386 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hays, Kansas, the dental hygienist salary is projected to reach $87,615 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $102,946, representing a difference of 14.89%. The salary range for dental hygienists in this area is between $74,528 at the 10th percentile and $107,162 at the 90th percentile. These salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, reflect both the local labor market and the economic conditions unique to Hays. The gap between local and national pay may be attributed to various factors, including the small number of practicing dental hygienists in the region and the prevailing cost of living, which is indexed at 90.9, indicating affordability relative to national averages.
About the Hays Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($80,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,528 | $35.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,836 | $37.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,615 | $42.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,333 | $45.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,162 | $51.52 |
Median Salary Position
14.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hays
In Hays, KS, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,634 (2026 est.). At $87,615, the local median is 14.89% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hays: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hays Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Hays median: $87,615/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hays Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $93,606 | -6.40% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -14.89% less |
Dental Hygienists in Hays, KS earn a median of $87,615 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 6.40% below the Kansas state average of $93,606.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hays has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hays, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $87,615 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,386 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$64,972
2025 BLS Actual
$83,491
2026 Current Est.
$87,615
2020–2027 Growth
+41.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Hays (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $64,972 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,333 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,397 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,454 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,308 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,491 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,615 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,944 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hays metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 28.5% from $64,972 (2020) to $83,491 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,944 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,972 (41.51%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hays metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $74,528 – $78,836 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,836 – $87,615 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,615 – $95,333 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,333 – $107,162 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Hays
With only five dental hygienists currently employed in Hays, the local job market reveals both opportunities and challenges for professionals in this field. The lower cost of living in the area can enhance take-home purchasing power despite the lower salary figures. Employers who tend to offer competitive pay often include Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen, which provide better benefits and potential sign-on bonuses compared to solo practices. Factors driving wage disparities range from production-based bonuses linked to patient retention to differences in work schedules. To maximize earnings, dental hygienists in Hays should consider working in environments that offer comprehensive benefits and higher incentives, while also exploring continuing education opportunities that may lead to advancement in their careers.
More salary data for Hays, KS:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $83,491 for dental hygienistsin the Hays metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Hays is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov