Dental hygienists in Maryland earn an average of $109,090 per year, with a median of $107,830. The median is the more useful figure for most hiring decisions because it reflects the midpoint of the actual workforce rather than being pulled upward by a small number of high earners. Budget toward the median as your baseline and adjust up based on the candidate's experience and specialization.
Dental hygienist salary in Maryland (2026)
In this article
The average dental hygienist salary in Maryland is $109,090 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $107,830 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Maryland employs 3,500 dental hygienists, and the $1,260 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Entry-level dental hygienists in Maryland typically earn around $85,440, while senior specialists commonly reach or exceed the $122,740 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dental hygienist hire in Maryland, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $107,830 |
Average Annual Salary | $109,090 |
vs. National Average | 10.2% above the national mean of $98,990 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 3,500 employed dental hygienists across Maryland.
See how Rippling handles payroll, benefits, and onboarding for your next dental hygienist hire.
Dental hygienist salary percentiles in Maryland
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $85,440 |
25th Percentile | $103,150 |
75th Percentile | $120,070 |
90th Percentile | $122,740 |
Employers setting an offer for a dental hygienist in Maryland should expect most candidates to fall between $103,150 and $120,070, which covers the middle half of the market. Candidates with specialized skills or significant experience may command salaries at or above the $122,740 threshold that senior specialists in Maryland typically reach.
Dental hygienist salary by city in Maryland
City | Average Annual Salary |
Washington DC | $115,250 |
Baltimore | $112,560 |
Salisbury | $97,530 |
Hagerstown | $86,870 |
Where your practice is located in Maryland will meaningfully affect what you need to budget for a dental hygienist hire. The Washington DC metro area commands the highest average at $115,250, while Hagerstown sits at $86,870, a difference of more than $28,000 per year. Employers in the Baltimore metro can expect to pay around $112,560 on average, which is close to the Washington DC market but well above the western and eastern shore regions.
How Maryland compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Maryland | $109,090 | $107,830 |
District of Columbia | $127,910 | $137,220 |
Virginia | $105,120 | $102,950 |
New Jersey | $104,410 | $107,040 |
New York | $103,640 | $106,130 |
Pennsylvania | $84,260 | $80,610 |
Maryland employers hiring dental hygienists operate in a mid-to-upper tier compensation market relative to neighboring states, which means candidates from Virginia, New Jersey, or New York will arrive with similar salary expectations. The District of Columbia sits notably higher at a mean of $127,910, so practices near the DC border may face candidates who benchmark against that market. Pennsylvania, at a mean of $84,260, is the one nearby state where compensation expectations run substantially lower.
Frequently asked questions about dental hygienist salary in Maryland
How much do dental hygienists get paid in Maryland?
What is a good salary in Maryland?
For a dental hygienist in Maryland, a salary in the $103,150 to $120,070 range covers the middle half of the market and represents a competitive offer for most candidates. Offers below $103,150 will likely fall short for experienced candidates, while offers at or above $120,070 will attract senior specialists. Use the role's seniority level and the specific metro area to calibrate where within that range your offer should land.
How does Maryland compare to other states for dental hygienist salary?
Maryland's mean of $109,090 places it above Virginia ($105,120), New Jersey ($104,410), New York ($103,640), and Pennsylvania ($84,260) among nearby states. Only the District of Columbia, at a mean of $127,910, pays dental hygienists more in the region. Employers in Maryland can expect compensation expectations from candidates to be broadly in line with the mid-Atlantic market, with DC-adjacent candidates potentially anchoring higher.
What is the salary range for a dental hygienist in Maryland?
The published salary range for dental hygienists in Maryland runs from $85,440 at the 10th percentile to $122,740 at the 90th percentile. The middle half of the market falls between $103,150 and $120,070, which is where most offers for qualified candidates should land. When building your compensation budget, use the 25th-to-75th percentile band as your core range and reserve the upper end for roles requiring specialized skills or significant experience.
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.
Author
The Rippling Team
Global HR, IT, and Finance know-how directly from the Rippling team.
Hubs
Explore more
Aug 20, 2026
|
4 min
Dental hygienist salary in Pennsylvania (2026)
Pennsylvania dental hygienists earn a median $80,610 annually. Compare salaries by city, percentile, and neighboring states to budget your next hire confidently.
Aug 21, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in Delaware (2026)
Delaware dental hygienists earn a median $98,910 per year. See salary percentiles, city breakdowns, and regional comparisons to set competitive offers.
Aug 20, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in Virginia (2026)
Dental hygienist salaries in Virginia average $105,120, with pay ranging from $86,730 to $125,560. See city breakdowns and state comparisons to budget your next hire.
Aug 19, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in New Jersey (2026)
Dental hygienists in New Jersey earn a median of $107,040. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and how NJ compares to neighboring states.
Aug 19, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in Massachusetts (2026)
Dental hygienist salaries in Massachusetts average $102,160 per year. See pay by city, percentile, and how MA compares to neighboring states.
Aug 19, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in New York (2026)
Dental hygienist salaries in New York range from $77,680 to $126,640. See median pay, city breakdowns, and state comparisons to set competitive offers.
Aug 21, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in Connecticut (2026)
Connecticut dental hygienists earn a median $100,690 per year. See salary percentiles, city-by-city pay rates, and how CT compares to neighboring states.
Jul 23, 2026
|
11 min
How to manage an hourly workforce across multiple locations
Managing hourly employees across locations means more than scheduling. Here's how to keep one employee record, stay compliant per site, and track labor cost by location.
See Rippling in action
Increase savings, automate busy work, and make better decisions by managing HR, IT, and Finance in one place.