Dental Hygienist Salary in Maryland: $117,465 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maryland's 28 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $117,465/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Maryland sits at BEA RPP 109.3 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $107,470 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Columbia ($118,225), Baltimore ($116,130), Towson ($115,679).
In Maryland, the average median salary for dental hygienists is projected to reach $117,465 in 2026, which is significantly higher than the national median of $102,946, representing a 14.1% increase. The salary range varies across the state, with Columbia leading at $124,065 and Hagerstown at the lower end with $87,583, highlighting a salary gap of $36,482. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for dental services, and the concentration of higher-paying dental practices in urban areas. Maryland has specific requirements for dental hygienist licensure, which includes passing national and state examinations. The state also has a growing demand for dental hygienists, driven by an increasing population and a heightened awareness of oral health, resulting in a projected annual growth rate of 4.94%. This means that opportunities in the field are expected to expand steadily. The job market is strong across 28 metro areas, with key cities showing promising salary figures and job openings. Baltimore, Towson, Aspen Hill, and Gaithersburg also present competitive salaries at $121,867, $121,394, $114,081, and $113,341 respectively, confirming that Maryland offers various opportunities for dental hygienists looking to advance in their careers.
Maryland Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maryland: $70,572 (lowest entry-level) to $162,187 (highest top earner)
Maryland vs National Average
Maryland dental hygienists earn 14.10% more than the national median (+$14,519/year difference).
Maryland Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Maryland range from $101,888 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $131,028 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $117,465. The Maryland median is $14,519 above the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $56.47/hr. Approximately 2,533 dental hygienists are employed across 28 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$91,804
2025 BLS Actual
$111,935
2026 Current Est.
$117,465
2020–2027 Growth
+34.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Maryland (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $91,804 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,151 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,523 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,184 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,606 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,935 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,465 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,267 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maryland metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 21.9% from $91,804 (2020) to $111,935 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,267 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,463 (34.27%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maryland 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 Maryland
Lowest Paying Cities in Maryland
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hagerstown | $87,583 |
| Salisbury | $102,117 |
| Cumberland | $104,149 |
| Greenbelt | $106,534 |
| Laurel | $106,887 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Maryland
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maryland cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore | $121,867 | 104.487 | $116,634 |
| Columbia | $124,065 | 109.3 | $113,509 |
| Towson | $121,394 | 109.3 | $111,065 |
| Lexington Park | $109,620 | 100.76 | $108,793 |
| Salisbury | $102,117 | 95.617 | $106,798 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maryland
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $101,888 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $117,465 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $131,028 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maryland metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 28 Cities in Maryland
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $124,065 |
| 2 | Baltimore | $121,867 |
| 3 | Towson | $121,394 |
| 4 | Aspen Hill | $114,081 |
| 5 | Gaithersburg | $113,341 |
| 6 | Germantown | $113,262 |
| 7 | Ellicott City | $113,004 |
| 8 | Waldorf | $112,887 |
| 9 | Wheaton | $112,504 |
| 10 | Bowie | $111,970 |
| 11 | Glen Burnie | $111,622 |
| 12 | Frederick | $110,080 |
| 13 | Annapolis | $110,057 |
| 14 | Severn | $110,054 |
| 15 | College Park | $109,839 |
| 16 | Rockville | $109,697 |
| 17 | Silver Spring | $109,643 |
| 18 | Lexington Park | $109,620 |
| 19 | Potomac | $109,123 |
| 20 | Bethesda | $108,681 |
| 21 | Dundalk | $108,681 |
| 22 | Odenton | $108,311 |
| 23 | Catonsville | $107,428 |
| 24 | Laurel | $106,887 |
| 25 | Greenbelt | $106,534 |
| 26 | Cumberland | $104,149 |
| 27 | Salisbury | $102,117 |
| 28 | Hagerstown | $87,583 |
More Maryland Salary Data
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 Maryland in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Maryland?
How does Maryland dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Maryland?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Maryland?
Which Maryland 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 Maryland. State averages are employment-weighted across 28 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