Dental Hygienist Salary in Lawrence, KS: $94,624 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Lawrence, KS earns a median $94,624/year (≈ $45.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $104,097 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lawrence, Kansas, the projected median annual salary for a dental hygienist is $94,624 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $102,946. This discrepancy can be attributed to the local cost of living, which is relatively low, with an index of 90.9. The salary range for dental hygienists in the area spans from $69,266 at the 10th percentile to $118,700 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variance in compensation. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional prices, reflecting current economic conditions and market demand. With a modest growth rate of 4.94%, the profession is steadily expanding, highlighting job security and opportunities in Lawrence's healthcare marketplace.
About the Lawrence Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($80,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,266 | $33.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,357 | $40.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,624 | $45.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,324 | $49.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,700 | $57.07 |
Median Salary Position
8.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, KS, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,434 (2026 est.). At $94,624, the local median is 8.08% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be above the median
How Lawrence Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $94,624/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $93,595 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -8.08% less |
Dental Hygienists in Lawrence, KS earn a median of $94,624 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.08% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.10% above the Kansas state average of $93,595.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence 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.
Lawrence, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $94,624 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,097 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$75,300
2025 BLS Actual
$90,170
2026 Current Est.
$94,624
2020–2027 Growth
+31.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lawrence (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $75,300 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,624 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,299 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 19.7% from $75,300 (2020) to $90,170 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,299 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,999 (31.87%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $69,266 – $83,357 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,357 – $94,624 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,624 – $103,324 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,324 – $118,700 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Lawrence
Analyzing the local job market reveals that there are currently 22 dental hygienists employed in Lawrence, creating a niche environment for new graduates and those seeking to relocate. Given the cost-of-living reality, dental hygienist pay in Lawrence, KS, typically allows for a comfortable lifestyle, though the relatively lower average salaries could influence financial expectations over time. Among different types of employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) and larger multi-doctor group practices tend to offer higher compensation packages, often including attractive sign-on bonuses. The variation in pay can often result from production-based bonuses linked to patient retention strategies, workplace settings, and full benefit offerings, particularly between private practices and DSOs. To maximize dental hygienist pay in Lawrence, professionals should consider the type of practice they join, negotiating schedules to align with higher-earning opportunities while staying informed about evolving market trends in the dental sector.
More salary data for Lawrence, 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 $90,170 for dental hygienistsin the Lawrence 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 Lawrence 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