Dental Hygienist Salary in Austin, MN: $99,732 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Austin, MN earns a median $99,732/year (≈ $47.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Austin's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $101,251 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Austin, Minnesota, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $99,732, which reflects the growing demand within the local market. With only four dental hygienists currently employed in the area, this low saturation indicates a potentially favorable job landscape, allowing for competitive compensation. Salaries in this field range from $75,447 at the 10th percentile to $122,066 at the 90th percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional cost of living, suggest that dental hygienists in Austin can expect to earn a solid wage, despite the national median of $102,946 being slightly higher. Given the minimal local competition, professionals entering this field may find promising opportunities for both immediate employment and future salary growth.
About the Austin Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($98,738) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,447 | $36.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,576 | $40.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,732 | $47.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,688 | $51.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,066 | $58.68 |
Median Salary Position
3.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, MN, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,619 (2026 est.). At $99,732, the local median is 3.12% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be above the median
How Austin Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Austin median: $99,732/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $105,425 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -3.12% less |
Dental Hygienists in Austin, MN earn a median of $99,732 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.12% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.40% below the Minnesota state average of $105,425.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $99,732 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,251 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$72,292
2025 BLS Actual
$95,037
2026 Current Est.
$99,732
2020–2027 Growth
+44.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Austin (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $72,292 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,577 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,123 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,408 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,364 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,037 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,732 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,659 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 31.5% from $72,292 (2020) to $95,037 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,659 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,367 (44.77%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $75,447 – $83,576 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,576 – $99,732 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,732 – $107,688 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,688 – $122,066 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Austin
The local job market operates under some specific dynamics that affect how dental hygienist pay in Austin, MN, is structured. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, expenses are generally manageable, providing a reasonable take-home value for those in the profession. Among the area's employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often offer the most attractive pay packages, which can include sign-on bonuses, especially for new graduates. On the other hand, private practices may not provide the same level of benefits, specifically when it comes to health insurance. Factors influencing the wide salary range include various compensation structures, such as production-based bonuses tied to perio recall and recare retention, as well as work schedule preferences (like four-day versus five-day weeks). For those aiming to maximize their earnings in the Austin area, pursuing opportunities with DSOs or specializing in practices that emphasize higher-end services may prove beneficial.
More salary data for Austin, MN:
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 $95,037 for dental hygienistsin the Austin 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 Austin 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