PayByState

Nebraska · BLS SOC 29-1292

Dental Hygienist salary in Nebraska

Median $87,660 · Top 10% earn $103,490+ · Roughly 1,585 workers in Nebraska. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Nebraska median
$87,660
$42.14/hr
Top 10%
$103,490
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$58,580
Entry-level range
Real pay
$96,648
CoL-adjusted (RPP 90.7)

Nebraska pays modestly below the U.S. median for dental hygienists — $87,660 versus the national median of $94,260. Nebraska's lower cost of living means the salary stretches further — real purchasing power is about $2,388 above the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 1,585 dental hygienists.

What drives dental hygienist pay in Nebraska

Nebraska 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.

Nebraska ranks #35 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Nebraska
#33 Ohio $88,600 +$940
#32 New Mexico $88,600 +$940
#31 Florida $88,600 +$940
#35 Nebraska (this page) $87,660 —
#36 Georgia $86,720 −$940
#37 South Carolina $85,780 −$1,880
#38 Indiana $85,780 −$1,880
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Nebraska

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 Nebraska median of $87,660, payback periods are typically 1.2 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 Nebraska selected.

Dental Hygienist salary in Nebraska — FAQ

What is the average dental hygienist salary in Nebraska?
The median dental hygienist salary in Nebraska is $87,660 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $58,580; the top 10% earn $103,490 or more. About 1,585 people work in this role across the state.
How does Nebraska dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
Nebraska's median of $87,660 is $6,600 below the U.S. national median of $94,260. After adjusting for Nebraska's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 90.7), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $96,648.
Is dental hygienist a good career in Nebraska?
On the data: Nebraska employs roughly 1,585 dental hygienists, with a median wage of $87,660 and the top decile clearing $103,490. 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 Nebraska?
At the Nebraska median of $87,660 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $42.14/hr. The top 10% earn around $49.75/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $28.16/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Nebraska-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 Nebraska's RPP is 90.7 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.