Washington · BLS SOC 29-1292
Dental Hygienist salary in Washington
Median $113,110 · Top 10% earn $149,700+ · Roughly 4,981 workers in Washington. Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024.
- Washington median
- $113,110
- $54.38/hr
- Top 10%
- $149,700
- 90th percentile
- Bottom 10%
- $75,580
- Entry-level range
- Real pay
- $103,015
- CoL-adjusted (RPP 109.8)
Washington pays meaningfully above the U.S. median for dental hygienists — $113,110 versus the national median of $94,260. Real purchasing power is $8,755 above the U.S. average — a clean win. The state employs roughly 4,981 dental hygienists.
What drives dental hygienist pay in Washington
Washington allows direct-access hygienist practice in many settings without a dentist supervisor — one of the most autonomous regulatory environments in the U.S.
Top-paying metros in Washington
Washington-area metropolitan areas with the highest dental hygienist medians.
Washington metros
10 highest-paying metropolitan areas. Source: BLS OEWS metro tables, May 2024.
| Rank | Metro | Median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $117,200 |
Washington ranks #5 of 50 states
Where Washington sits in the national distribution for dental hygienist pay, and the closest comparable states above and below.
| Rank | State | Median | vs. Washington |
|---|---|---|---|
| #3 | District of Columbia | $114,050 | +$940 |
| #2 | Alaska | $117,830 | +$4,720 |
| #1 | California | $124,420 | +$11,310 |
| #5 | Washington (this page) | $113,110 | — |
| #6 | Massachusetts | $111,230 | −$1,880 |
| #7 | Oregon | $109,340 | −$3,770 |
| #8 | Hawaii | $106,510 | −$6,600 |
Find Dental Hygienist programs near you
We surface accredited programs by state — community college, online, and accelerated. Compare tuition, length, and start dates.
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Education path for Washington
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 Washington median of $113,110, 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 Washington selected.
Dental Hygienist salary in Washington — FAQ
What is the average dental hygienist salary in Washington?
How does Washington dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
Where does Washington pay dental hygienists the most?
Is dental hygienist a good career in Washington?
What's the hourly rate for dental hygienists in Washington?
Methodology note
Washington-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 Washington's RPP is 109.8 (U.S. = 100). Last reviewed: May 2026.