Dental Hygienist Salary in Cleveland, OH: $93,386 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Cleveland, OH earns a median $93,386/year (≈ $44.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $99,428 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Dental hygienists in Cleveland, Ohio, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $93,386 in 2026, which reflects a decrease of approximately 9.29% compared to the national median of $102,946. The salary range for dental hygienists in this region is expected to fall between $84,267 at the 10th percentile and $98,497 at the 90th percentile. These figures stem from data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. Cleveland’s median salary aligns well with Ohio’s average, indicating a stable job market for dental hygienists in the area as the profession continues to grow.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,267 | $40.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,907 | $40.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,386 | $44.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,182 | $47.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,497 | $47.36 |
Median Salary Position
9.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, OH, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,230 (2026 est.). At $93,386, the local median is 9.29% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be above the median
How Cleveland Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $93,386/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $88,770 | +5.20% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -9.29% less |
Dental Hygienists in Cleveland, OH earn a median of $93,386 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.29% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.20% above the Ohio state average of $88,770.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.923 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $93,386 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,428 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.47% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$67,870
2025 BLS Actual
$88,990
2026 Current Est.
$93,386
2020–2027 Growth
+44.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Cleveland (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $67,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,070 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,990 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,386 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,999 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 31.1% from $67,870 (2020) to $88,990 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,999 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,129 (44.39%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $84,267 – $84,907 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,907 – $93,386 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,386 – $98,182 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,182 – $98,497 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Cleveland
Analyzing the local market, there are approximately 1,790 dental hygienists currently employed in Cleveland, contributing to a healthy demand for their skills. The cost of living index stands at 93.923, suggesting that dental hygienists have a favorable purchasing power compared to many other regions. Those seeking the highest dental hygienist pay in Cleveland, OH, may find opportunities with Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen, which often provide benefits and production-based bonuses that can significantly enhance earnings. The spread between lower and higher salaries can be attributed to factors such as the number of days worked each week, the type of practice, and availability of benefits, making it essential for dental hygienists to strategically assess their employment choices in order to maximize their compensation. For those entering or advancing in this field, aligning with practices that offer comprehensive benefits or lucrative bonuses can greatly improve overall pay.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
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 $88,990 for dental hygienistsin the Cleveland 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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