Dental Hygienists Salary
The median pay for a dental hygienists in Ohio is $88,990/year ($42.78/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $76K at the entry level to $103K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 91.45), which stretches that salary to about $97,310 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,188/month, or 21.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Ohio. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $89K get you in Ohio?
About dental hygienists
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What this looks like in Ohio
Dental hygienists pay in Ohio tracks closely to the national median, $89K locally vs. $98K nationwide, a 9% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,188/month, 20.6% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 91.45 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 9% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Ohio
Entry-level dental hygienists (10th percentile) start around $76K. Mid-career wages sit at $89K. Top earners bring in $103K or more, a $27K spread from bottom to top.
Dental Hygienists salary by metro in Ohio
12 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati | $103K | +16% | 1,700 |
| Columbus | $97K | +9% | 1,700 |
| Cleveland | $89K | +0% | 1,790 |
| Sandusky | $86K | -3% | 70 |
| Youngstown-Warren | $85K | -5% | 280 |
| Mansfield | $85K | -5% | 90 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | $85K | -5% | 620 |
| Canton-Massillon | $83K | -7% | 270 |
| Akron | $83K | -7% | 460 |
| Springfield | $81K | -9% | 80 |
| Lima | $79K | -12% | 70 |
| Toledo | $77K | -14% | 580 |
Showing 1–10 of 12 metros
Compare to other states
Track dental hygienists salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Ohio numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a dental hygienist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Ohio?
Yes — at the median salary of $89K, rent takes 20.6% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,188/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for dental hygienists in Ohio?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new dental hygienists typically earn — is $76K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,576/month. At HUD’s $1,188/month FMR, rent would take 26% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is dental hygienist a high-paying job in Ohio?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $89K locally vs. $98K nationally, a 9% difference.
How does Ohio compare to the national average for dental hygienists?
Ohio pays $89K median vs. the U.S. average of $98K — that’s -9%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 91.45), the purchasing-power equivalent is $97K — below the national median.
How much do dental hygienists make in Ohio?
The median is $88,990 a year, that works out to about $43 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $76,260, and experienced dental hygienists can clear $102,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $89K enough to live in Ohio?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,769/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,188/month, which eats 20.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a dental hygienists salary go in Ohio?
Ohio has a Regional Price Parity of 91.45 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median dental hygienists salary is worth about $97,310 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do dental hygienists get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.