PayByState

North Dakota · BLS SOC 29-1292

Dental Hygienist salary in North Dakota

Median $89,550 · Top 10% earn $106,660+ · Roughly 679 workers in North Dakota. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

North Dakota median
$89,550
$43.05/hr
Top 10%
$106,660
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$59,840
Entry-level range
Real pay
$96,811
CoL-adjusted (RPP 92.5)

North Dakota pays close to the U.S. median for dental hygienists — $89,550 versus the national median of $94,260. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 679 dental hygienists.

What drives dental hygienist pay in North Dakota

North Dakota pays close to the U.S. median for dental hygienists. The state's pay landscape reflects typical national patterns — hospital and academic medical center roles paying above private practice, specialty credentials adding meaningful premiums, and metropolitan areas paying above rural ones.

North Dakota ranks #29 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. North Dakota
#26 Wisconsin $90,490 +$940
#25 Texas $90,490 +$940
#24 Utah $91,430 +$1,880
#29 North Dakota (this page) $89,550 —
#31 Florida $88,600 −$950
#32 New Mexico $88,600 −$950
#33 Ohio $88,600 −$950
See all 50 states →

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Education path for North Dakota

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 North Dakota median of $89,550, payback periods are typically 1.1 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 North Dakota selected.

Dental Hygienist salary in North Dakota — FAQ

What is the average dental hygienist salary in North Dakota?
The median dental hygienist salary in North Dakota is $89,550 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $59,840; the top 10% earn $106,660 or more. About 679 people work in this role across the state.
How does North Dakota dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota's median of $89,550 is $4,710 below the U.S. national median of $94,260. After adjusting for North Dakota's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 92.5), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $96,811.
Is dental hygienist a good career in North Dakota?
On the data: North Dakota employs roughly 679 dental hygienists, with a median wage of $89,550 and the top decile clearing $106,660. 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 North Dakota?
At the North Dakota median of $89,550 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $43.05/hr. The top 10% earn around $51.28/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $28.77/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

North Dakota-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 North Dakota's RPP is 92.5 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.