Dental Hygienist Pay

Provo vs Washington: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Provo, UT and Washington, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Provo, UT
$96,545
$46.41/hr
Washington, UT
$86,988
$41.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricProvo, UTWashington, UT
Median Salary$96,545$86,988
Hourly Rate$46.41$41.82
Entry Level (P10)$73,112$65,404
25th Percentile$87,447$77,628
75th Percentile$99,714$96,642
Top Earner (P90)$101,435$110,923
Total Employed9306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Provo ($96,545) and Washington ($86,988) dental hygienist salaries.ProvoWashingtonMedian Salary$96,545$86,988Entry Level (P10)$73,112$65,404Top Earner (P90)$101,435$110,923US Median $102,946

Verdict

Provo, UT offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Washington.

The salary gap between Provo and Washington is $9,557 (10.99%). Provo's median is -6.22% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Provo spans $28,323,Washington spans $45,519. Washington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Provo
P10 (Entry)$73,112
P25$87,447
Median$96,545
P75$99,714
P90 (Top)$101,435
Washington
P10 (Entry)$65,404
P25$77,628
Median$86,988
P75$96,642
P90 (Top)$110,923

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Provo ($98,283 effective) pays 10.84% more than Washington ($88,673 effective).

Provo
Nominal: $96,545
CoL Index: 98.232
Adjusted: $98,283
Washington
Nominal: $86,988
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $88,673

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Provo if…

  • Higher median salary ($96,545/year)
  • Larger job market (930 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,283)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Washington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($110,923)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Provo grew 22.6% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 18.7% growth in Washington over the same period.

Provo, UT

+22.6%

$75,060 (2020) → $92,000 (2025)

Washington, UT

+18.7%

$69,823 (2020) → $82,893 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Provo or Washington?

Provo has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $96,545/year, compared to Washington at $86,988/year — a difference of $9,557 (10.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Provo and Washington?

Provo dental hygienists earn $46.41/hr while Washington hygienists earn $41.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Provo to Washington as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Provo and Washington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Provo = $98,283, Washington = $88,673), job availability (930 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Provo vs Washington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $73,112 in Provo and $65,404 in Washington. The Provo 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