Delaware's mean annual salary of $100,660 places it in the middle of its regional peer group. Maryland ($109,090), Virginia ($105,120), New Jersey ($104,410), and New York ($103,640) all pay more on average, while Pennsylvania ($84,260) pays considerably less. If you are competing for candidates who have options across the Mid-Atlantic region, expect Maryland and Virginia to set the upper end of candidate salary expectations.
Dental hygienist salary in Delaware (2026)
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The average dental hygienist salary in Delaware is $100,660 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $98,910 gives you a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Delaware employs 750 dental hygienists, and the $1,750 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Entry-level dental hygienists in Delaware typically earn around $93,580, while senior specialists commonly reach or exceed $112,940. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for your dental hygienist hire, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $98,910 |
Average Annual Salary | $100,660 |
vs. National Average | 1.7% above the national mean of $98,990 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 750 employed dental hygienists across Delaware.
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Dental hygienist salary percentiles in Delaware
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $93,580 |
25th Percentile | $97,570 |
75th Percentile | $103,310 |
90th Percentile | $112,940 |
When setting an offer for a dental hygienist in Delaware, expect most candidates to fall between $97,570 and $103,310, which covers the middle of the market. Candidates with specialized skills or significant experience can command salaries that reach or exceed $112,940, so build flexibility into your budget if you are targeting senior talent.
Dental hygienist salary by city in Delaware
City | Average Annual Salary |
Wilmington | $98,510 |
Dover | $97,020 |
Employers hiring in Wilmington or Dover can expect compensation levels to be fairly close, which limits the need for large location-based pay adjustments within Delaware. Wilmington averages $98,510 compared to $97,020 in Dover, a difference of $1,490 that is unlikely to drive candidate decisions on its own. Both figures sit below the statewide mean of $100,660, so factor in candidate experience and specialization as the primary drivers of your offer.
How Delaware compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Delaware | $100,660 | $98,910 |
Maryland | $109,090 | $107,830 |
Virginia | $105,120 | $102,950 |
New Jersey | $104,410 | $107,040 |
New York | $103,640 | $106,130 |
Pennsylvania | $84,260 | $80,610 |
Delaware sits in the middle of its regional peer group, making it a moderately cost-effective market for dental hygienist hiring compared to Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York. Maryland leads the region at $109,090 mean annual salary, while Pennsylvania comes in well below Delaware at $84,260. Employers in Delaware can use this spread to calibrate offers when competing for candidates who may also be considering roles across state lines.
Frequently asked questions about dental hygienist salary in Delaware
How does Delaware compare to other states for dental hygienist salary?
What do the top-earning dental hygienists make in Delaware?
The 90th percentile for dental hygienists in Delaware is $112,940, which represents what senior specialists in the state typically reach or exceed. The statewide mean of $100,660 sits below that threshold, so the published percentile figures give you a reliable anchor for senior-level offers. Budget toward or above $112,940 if you are recruiting a highly experienced candidate with specialized skills.
What is the salary range for a dental hygienist in Delaware?
The published salary range for dental hygienists in Delaware runs from $93,580 at the 10th percentile to $112,940 at the 90th percentile. Most candidates you evaluate will fall between the 25th and 75th percentile marks of $97,570 and $103,310. Use the candidate's experience level and any specialized skills to determine where within that range your offer should land.
What is the average dental hygienist salary in Delaware?
The average dental hygienist salary in Delaware is $100,660 per year, which sits 1.7% above the national mean of $98,990. The median of $98,910 is a closer reflection of what a typical candidate will expect, since a small number of higher-compensated roles pull the average upward. Use the median as your baseline when building a compensation budget and adjust upward for seniority or specialization.
Dental Hygienist salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1292 (Dental Hygienists).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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The Rippling Team
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