Dental Hygienists Salary
The median pay for a dental hygienists in Washington is $131,160/year ($63.06/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $107K at the entry level to $162K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 102.01), that's roughly $128,576 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,830/month, or 21.6% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Washington. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $131K get you in Washington?
About dental hygienists
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What this looks like in Washington
Washington sits well above the national pay line for dental hygienists, local pay runs about 34% higher than the U.S. median of $98K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,830/month, 21.9% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Cost of living (RPP 102.01) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Combined with manageable housing costs, Washington offers a genuinely strong financial position for dental hygienistss at the median.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Washington
Entry-level dental hygienists (10th percentile) start around $107K. Mid-career wages sit at $131K. Top earners bring in $162K or more, a $55K spread from bottom to top.
Dental Hygienists salary by metro in Washington
11 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue | $134K | +2% | 3,500 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard | $131K | -0% | 190 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes | $127K | -3% | 130 |
| Bellingham | $125K | -5% | 150 |
| Longview-Kelso | $123K | -6% | 100 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater | $123K | -6% | 220 |
| Kennewick-Richland | $122K | -7% | 270 |
| Yakima | $121K | -8% | 160 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee | $119K | -9% | 110 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley | $117K | -11% | 500 |
| Walla Walla | $107K | -19% | 50 |
Showing 1–10 of 11 metros
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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Washington numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a dental hygienist afford a 2BR apartment alone in Washington?
Yes — at the median salary of $131K, rent takes 21.9% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,830/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for dental hygienists in Washington?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new dental hygienists typically earn — is $107K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $6,425/month. At HUD’s $1,830/month FMR, rent would take 28% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is dental hygienist a high-paying job in Washington?
Local pay is 34% above the national median — $131K here vs. $98K nationally.
How does Washington compare to the national average for dental hygienists?
Washington pays $131K median vs. the U.S. average of $98K — that’s +34%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 102.01), the purchasing-power equivalent is $129K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do dental hygienists make in Washington?
The median is $131,160 a year, that works out to about $63 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $107,090, and experienced dental hygienists can clear $162,050. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $131K enough to live in Washington?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,367/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,830/month, which eats 21.9% 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 Washington?
Washington has a Regional Price Parity of 102.01 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median dental hygienists salary is worth about $128,576 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.