Dental Hygienist Salary in Maine: $101,279 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $101,279/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $101,686 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Portland ($98,880), South Portland ($98,457), Lewiston ($96,251).
In 2026, the average median salary for dental hygienists in Maine is projected to be $101,279, slightly below the national median of $102,946, representing a 1.6% difference. There is a notable salary gap between cities; for instance, Portland offers the highest salary at $103,765, while Bangor provides the lowest at $92,819. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for dental services, and population density, with urban areas typically offering higher pay due to increased patient volumes. Maine’s specific licensing requirements include completion of an accredited dental hygiene program and passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination, which ensures a standardized level of competency. The scope of practice laws in Maine allow hygienists to provide a wide range of services, enhancing their value in dental practices. As of 2026, there are 672 dental hygienists employed in the state, and the job market is projected to grow at an annual growth rate of 4.94%. This reflects an increasing demand for dental services as the population becomes more health-conscious. Cities like South Portland, Lewiston, Scarborough, and Biddeford are also competitive, with salaries ranging from $97,011 to $103,321, indicating a strong outlook for professionals in this field.
Maine Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maine: $74,366 (lowest entry-level) to $130,596 (highest top earner)
Maine vs National Average
Maine dental hygienists earn 1.62% less than the national median ($-1,667/year difference).
Maine Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Maine range from $88,951 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $115,866 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $101,279. The Maine median is $1,667 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $48.69/hr. Approximately 672 dental hygienists are employed across 10 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$69,855
2025 BLS Actual
$96,511
2026 Current Est.
$101,279
2020–2027 Growth
+52.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Maine (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $69,855 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,563 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,473 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,676 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,515 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,511 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,279 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,282 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 38.2% from $69,855 (2020) to $96,511 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,282 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,427 (52.15%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maine metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maine
Lowest Paying Cities in Maine
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Maine
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland | $103,321 | 99.6 | $103,736 |
| Portland | $103,765 | 101.858 | $101,872 |
| Lewiston | $101,006 | 99.6 | $101,412 |
| Scarborough | $97,828 | 99.6 | $98,221 |
| Biddeford | $97,011 | 99.6 | $97,401 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maine
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $88,951 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $101,279 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $115,866 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maine metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Maine
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Portland | $103,765 |
| 2 | South Portland | $103,321 |
| 3 | Lewiston | $101,006 |
| 4 | Scarborough | $97,828 |
| 5 | Biddeford | $97,011 |
| 6 | Augusta | $96,688 |
| 7 | Auburn | $96,356 |
| 8 | Sanford | $95,785 |
| 9 | Brunswick | $94,883 |
| 10 | Bangor | $92,819 |
More Maine Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore dental hygienist hourly pay in Maine cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Maine in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Maine?
How does Maine dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Maine?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Maine?
Which Maine city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov