PayByState

Alaska · BLS SOC 29-1292

Dental Hygienist salary in Alaska

Median $117,830 · Top 10% earn $159,060+ · Roughly 453 workers in Alaska. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Alaska median
$117,830
$56.65/hr
Top 10%
$159,060
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$78,730
Entry-level range
Real pay
$111,581
CoL-adjusted (RPP 105.6)

Alaska pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for dental hygienists — $117,830 versus the national median of $94,260. Real purchasing power is $17,321 above the U.S. average — a clean win. The state employs roughly 453 dental hygienists.

What drives dental hygienist pay in Alaska

Alaska's remote-area pay premium ($25–35K above U.S. median) is the second-highest in the country. State has chronic hygienist shortage; signing bonuses are common.

Top-paying metros in Alaska

Alaska-area metropolitan areas with the highest dental hygienist medians.

Alaska metros

10 highest-paying metropolitan areas. Source: BLS OEWS metro tables, May 2024.

Rank Metro Median
1 Anchorage, AK $124,700

Alaska ranks #2 of 50 states

Where Alaska sits in the national distribution for dental hygienist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.

Rank State Median vs. Alaska
#1 California $124,420 +$6,590
#2 Alaska (this page) $117,830 —
#3 District of Columbia $114,050 −$3,780
#4 New York $113,110 −$4,720
#5 Washington $113,110 −$4,720
See all 50 states →

Find Dental Hygienist programs near you

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Education path for Alaska

The typical path is a associate degree + state license (some bs), taking about 30 months. Tuition ranges from $12,000 (community college) to $65,000 (private accelerated). On the Alaska median of $117,830, payback periods are typically 0.8 years or less from a starting income near minimum wage.

For full credentialing detail and the realistic career outlook, see the Dental Hygienist salary overview. To run your own numbers, use the ROI calculator with Alaska selected.

Dental Hygienist salary in Alaska — FAQ

What is the average dental hygienist salary in Alaska?
The median dental hygienist salary in Alaska is $117,830 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $78,730; the top 10% earn $159,060 or more. About 453 people work in this role across the state.
How does Alaska dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
Alaska's median of $117,830 is $23,570 above the U.S. national median of $94,260. After adjusting for Alaska's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 105.6), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $111,581.
Where does Alaska pay dental hygienists the most?
Top-paying metros in Alaska include Anchorage at $124,700. These metros consistently pay 10–25% above the state median due to higher concentration of large hospital systems and specialty employers.
Is dental hygienist a good career in Alaska?
On the data: Alaska employs roughly 453 dental hygienists, with a median wage of $117,830 and the top decile clearing $159,060. The role is projected to grow +9% nationally over the next decade. Whether it's "good" for you depends on whether the work suits you and whether you're positioned for the in-state metros that pay above the median.
What's the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Alaska?
At the Alaska median of $117,830 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $56.65/hr. The top 10% earn around $76.47/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $37.85/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Alaska-level wage data sourced from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 release (SOC 29-1292: Dental Hygienists), with state pay indexes from BLS area-comparison tables. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parities, 2023 release, where Alaska's RPP is 105.6 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.