Dental Hygienist Pay

Chillicothe vs Cincinnati: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Chillicothe, OH and Cincinnati, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chillicothe, OH
$83,560
$40.17/hr
Cincinnati, OH
$108,025
$51.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChillicothe, OHCincinnati, OH
Median Salary$83,560$108,025
Hourly Rate$40.17$51.93
Entry Level (P10)$64,490$85,841
25th Percentile$75,766$98,937
75th Percentile$91,402$108,949
Top Earner (P90)$103,281$137,986
Total Employed61,700
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chillicothe ($83,560) and Cincinnati ($108,025) dental hygienist salaries.ChillicotheCincinnatiMedian Salary$83,560$108,025Entry Level (P10)$64,490$85,841Top Earner (P90)$103,281$137,986US Median $102,946

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chillicothe.

The salary gap between Chillicothe and Cincinnati is $24,465 (29.28%). Cincinnati's median is +4.93% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chillicothe spans $38,791,Cincinnati spans $52,145. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Chillicothe
P10 (Entry)$64,490
P25$75,766
Median$83,560
P75$91,402
P90 (Top)$103,281
Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$85,841
P25$98,937
Median$108,025
P75$108,949
P90 (Top)$137,986

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($113,269 effective) pays 22.95% more than Chillicothe ($92,128 effective).

Chillicothe
Nominal: $83,560
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $92,128
Cincinnati
Nominal: $108,025
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $113,269

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chillicothe if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($108,025/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,986)
  • Larger job market (1,700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $113,269)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Chillicothe grew 21.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 39.3% growth in Cincinnati over the same period.

Chillicothe, OH

+21.8%

$65,348 (2020) → $79,626 (2025)

Cincinnati, OH

+39.3%

$73,880 (2020) → $102,940 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Chillicothe or Cincinnati?

Cincinnati has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $108,025/year, compared to Chillicothe at $83,560/year — a difference of $24,465 (29.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chillicothe and Cincinnati?

Chillicothe dental hygienists earn $40.17/hr while Cincinnati hygienists earn $51.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chillicothe to Cincinnati as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chillicothe and Cincinnati. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chillicothe = $92,128, Cincinnati = $113,269), job availability (6 vs 1,700 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Chillicothe vs Cincinnati?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $64,490 in Chillicothe and $85,841 in Cincinnati. The Cincinnati area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov