Dental hygienists in New Jersey earn a median annual salary of $107,040 and a mean of $104,410. The median is the more useful figure for most hiring decisions because it is less affected by a small number of very high earners at the top of the market. Budget your offer around the median and adjust up or down based on the candidate's experience level and the specific demands of the role.
Dental hygienist salary in New Jersey (2026)
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The average annual salary for a dental hygienist in New Jersey is $104,410. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $107,040 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. New Jersey employs 7,230 dental hygienists, and the $2,630 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior dental hygienists in New Jersey typically earn around $94,260, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $117,730 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dental hygienist hire in New Jersey, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $107,040 |
Average Annual Salary | $104,410 |
vs. National Average | 5.5% above the national mean of $98,990 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 7,230 employed dental hygienists across New Jersey.
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Dental hygienist salary percentiles in New Jersey
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $94,260 |
25th Percentile | $101,270 |
75th Percentile | $115,470 |
90th Percentile | $117,730 |
Employers setting an offer for a dental hygienist in New Jersey should expect that even entry-level candidates start at $94,260, leaving a relatively narrow $23,470 window up to the 90th percentile at $117,730. Most competitive offers for experienced candidates will fall between $101,270 and $115,470, which is where the bulk of the market sits.
Dental hygienist salary by city in New Jersey
City | Average Annual Salary |
Newark | $109,220 |
Trenton | $101,510 |
Atlantic City | $99,880 |
Camden | $98,510 |
Location meaningfully affects what you will need to budget for a dental hygienist hire in New Jersey. Practices in the Newark metro area average $109,220 annually, while those in the Camden area average $98,510, a difference of $10,710 that should factor directly into your compensation planning based on where your practice operates.
How New Jersey compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
New Jersey | $104,410 | $107,040 |
Maryland | $109,090 | $107,830 |
New York | $103,640 | $106,130 |
Massachusetts | $102,160 | $100,640 |
Connecticut | $98,720 | $100,690 |
Pennsylvania | $84,260 | $80,610 |
Employers hiring dental hygienists in New Jersey should expect compensation expectations that are broadly in line with neighboring high-cost states, with little room to offer below-market rates. Maryland leads the region at a $109,090 average, while New Jersey sits close behind at $104,410, meaning candidates will likely benchmark against both markets. Pennsylvania stands apart at $84,260, so cross-border hiring from that state may require adjusting expectations on both sides.
Frequently asked questions about dental hygienist salary in New Jersey
How much do dental hygienists make in NJ?
How does New Jersey compare to other states for dental hygienist salary?
New Jersey sits near the top of the regional market, with a mean of $104,410 that places it 5.5% above the national average of $98,990. Maryland is the only nearby state that pays more, averaging $109,090, while Pennsylvania pays considerably less at $84,260. Candidates in New Jersey will likely benchmark their expectations against both Maryland and New York, so your offer should reflect that competitive context.
What do the top-earning dental hygienists make in New Jersey?
Dental hygienists at the 90th percentile in New Jersey earn $117,730 annually. The 75th percentile sits at $115,470, so the gap between experienced and top-tier earners is relatively narrow. When recruiting senior specialists, plan for offers in the $115,000 to $117,730 range and be prepared for candidates with specialized skills or long tenure to expect compensation at or above that level.
What is the salary range for a dental hygienist in New Jersey?
The salary range for a dental hygienist in New Jersey runs from $94,260 at the 10th percentile to $117,730 at the 90th percentile. The 25th percentile sits at $101,270 and the 75th at $115,470, which is where most competitive offers for experienced candidates will land. Use the seniority and specialization of the specific role you are filling to determine where within that range your offer should sit.
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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