PayByState

Rhode Island · BLS SOC 29-1292

Dental Hygienist salary in Rhode Island

Median $98,970 · Top 10% earn $123,130+ · Roughly 906 workers in Rhode Island. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.

Rhode Island median
$98,970
$47.58/hr
Top 10%
$123,130
90th percentile
Bottom 10%
$66,130
Entry-level range
Real pay
$98,282
CoL-adjusted (RPP 100.7)

Rhode Island pays close to the U.S. median for dental hygienists — $98,970 versus the national median of $94,260. Real purchasing power tracks roughly the U.S. average. The state employs roughly 906 dental hygienists.

What drives dental hygienist pay in Rhode Island

Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island ranks #14 of 50 states

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

Rank State Median vs. Rhode Island
#13 Colorado $99,920 +$950
#12 Minnesota $100,860 +$1,890
#11 Maryland $103,690 +$4,720
#14 Rhode Island (this page) $98,970 —
#16 Nevada $98,030 −$940
#17 Arizona $98,030 −$940
#18 Vermont $97,090 −$1,880
See all 50 states →

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Education path for Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island median of $98,970, payback periods are typically 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 Rhode Island selected.

Dental Hygienist salary in Rhode Island — FAQ

What is the average dental hygienist salary in Rhode Island?
The median dental hygienist salary in Rhode Island is $98,970 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2024). The bottom 10% earn around $66,130; the top 10% earn $123,130 or more. About 906 people work in this role across the state.
How does Rhode Island dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island's median of $98,970 is $4,710 above the U.S. national median of $94,260. After adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living (Regional Price Parity 100.7), the real-purchasing-power equivalent is $98,282.
Is dental hygienist a good career in Rhode Island?
On the data: Rhode Island employs roughly 906 dental hygienists, with a median wage of $98,970 and the top decile clearing $123,130. 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 Rhode Island?
At the Rhode Island median of $98,970 annually, the equivalent hourly rate is approximately $47.58/hr. The top 10% earn around $59.20/hr, while entry-level roles typically pay $31.79/hr or slightly above.

Methodology note

Rhode Island-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 Rhode Island's RPP is 100.7 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.