Dental Hygienist Salary in Laurel, MS: $81,595 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Laurel, MS earns a median $81,595/year (≈ $39.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Laurel's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $95,210 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Laurel, Mississippi, will earn a median annual salary of $81,595, significantly lower than the national median of $102,946. The salary range for this profession will span from $67,807 at the P10 level to $97,932 at the P90 level. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, reflect the localized economic conditions of Laurel, where the cost of living index stands at 85.7. With a growing demand for dental hygienists in the area, those entering the field can expect competitive pay relative to practical living standards, albeit lower compared to national averages.
About the Laurel Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($71,723) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,807 | $32.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,190 | $34.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,595 | $39.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,689 | $42.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,932 | $47.09 |
Median Salary Position
20.74% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Laurel
In Laurel, MS, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,125 (2026 est.). At $81,595, the local median is 20.74% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Laurel: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Laurel Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Laurel median: $81,595/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Laurel Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $88,211 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -20.74% less |
Dental Hygienists in Laurel, MS earn a median of $81,595 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.74% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 7.50% below the Mississippi state average of $88,211.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Laurel has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Laurel, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $81,595 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,210 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$52,715
2025 BLS Actual
$77,754
2026 Current Est.
$81,595
2020–2027 Growth
+62.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Laurel (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $52,715 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,964 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,141 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,883 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,673 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,754 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,595 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,626 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Laurel metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 47.5% from $52,715 (2020) to $77,754 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,626 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,911 (62.43%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Laurel 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) | $67,807 – $72,190 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,190 – $81,595 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,595 – $87,689 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,689 – $97,932 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Laurel
The job market for dental hygienists in Laurel is quite small, with only six professionals currently employed in the area. This limited number reflects the impact of local dental practices on employment dynamics, especially as solo dental offices and pediatric specialty practices often set the pay structure. Factors such as production-based bonuses linked to patient retention and work schedules can create a range in compensation. For instance, those working in Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Aspen may find more comprehensive benefits and potential sign-on bonuses attractive. To maximize dental hygienist pay in Laurel, professionals should consider opportunities in DSOs, negotiate their employment terms diligently, and align themselves with practices that prioritize retention initiatives, ultimately enhancing both income and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Laurel, MS:
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 $77,754 for dental hygienistsin the Laurel 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 Laurel 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