The average annual salary for a dental hygienist in Virginia is $105,120, with a median of $102,950. 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 unless the role requires senior-level experience or specialization that would push compensation toward the upper percentiles.
Dental hygienist salary in Virginia (2026)
In this article
The average annual salary for a dental hygienist in Virginia is $105,120. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $102,950 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Virginia employs 3,770 dental hygienists, and the $2,170 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior dental hygienists in Virginia typically earn around $86,730, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $125,560 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dental hygienist hire in Virginia, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $102,950 |
Average Annual Salary | $105,120 |
vs. National Average | 6.2% above the national mean of $98,990 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 3,770 employed dental hygienists across Virginia.
See how Rippling handles payroll, benefits, and onboarding for your next dental hygienist hire.
Dental hygienist salary percentiles in Virginia
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $86,730 |
25th Percentile | $97,630 |
75th Percentile | $119,690 |
90th Percentile | $125,560 |
Employers setting an offer for a dental hygienist in Virginia should expect that even entry-level candidates start at $86,730, leaving relatively little room to anchor below the median. Senior specialists in Virginia typically reach $119,690 to $125,560, so roles requiring advanced experience or specialization will need offers in that upper range to remain competitive.
Dental hygienist salary by city in Virginia
City | Average Annual Salary |
Arlington | $115,250 |
Charlottesville | $111,590 |
Richmond | $105,660 |
Roanoke | $99,330 |
Virginia Beach | $98,960 |
Location meaningfully affects what you will need to budget for a dental hygienist hire in Virginia. Employers in the Arlington area should plan for an average of $115,250, which is $16,290 more than the Virginia Beach market at $98,960. If you are hiring across multiple locations, set compensation bands by metro rather than applying a single statewide figure.
How Virginia compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Virginia | $105,120 | $102,950 |
Maryland | $109,090 | $107,830 |
North Carolina | $93,640 | $97,850 |
Georgia | $91,220 | $95,490 |
Tennessee | $87,420 | $84,640 |
Pennsylvania | $84,260 | $80,610 |
Virginia sits near the top of this regional peer group, which means employers here face higher compensation expectations than most neighboring states but remain just below Maryland. Virginia's mean of $105,120 exceeds North Carolina by $11,480 and Pennsylvania by $20,860, so sourcing candidates from lower-cost neighboring states may not reduce your offer requirements if those candidates relocate. Maryland at $109,090 is the only peer state in this comparison that requires a higher budget than Virginia.
Frequently asked questions about dental hygienist salary in Virginia
How much does a registered dental hygienist make in Virginia?
What do the top-earning dental hygienists make in Virginia?
Dental hygienists at the 90th percentile in Virginia earn $125,560 per year. The 75th percentile sits at $119,690, so the jump to the top tier is meaningful and reflects roles with advanced specialization or significant experience. When competing for senior talent, plan for offers in the $119,690 to $125,560 range to attract candidates at that level.
What is the salary range for a dental hygienist in Virginia?
The salary range for a dental hygienist in Virginia runs from $86,730 at the 10th percentile to $125,560 at the 90th percentile. The 25th percentile sits at $97,630 and the 75th at $119,690, giving you clear anchors for early-career versus experienced hires. Use the seniority and specialization of the specific role you are filling to determine where within that range your offer should land.
How does Virginia compare to other states for dental hygienist salary?
Virginia's mean of $105,120 places it above most regional peers, including North Carolina at $93,640, Georgia at $91,220, Tennessee at $87,420, and Pennsylvania at $84,260. Maryland is the only nearby state with a higher average at $109,090. If you are benchmarking against regional competitors for talent, Virginia sits near the top of this group and your offers should reflect that positioning.
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 19, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in Maryland (2026)
Maryland dental hygienists earn a median $107,830 per year. See salary percentiles, city breakdowns, and how Maryland compares to neighboring states.
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 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 20, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in Tennessee (2026)
Dental hygienists in Tennessee earn an average of $87,420. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and how Tennessee compares to neighboring states.
Aug 19, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in Georgia (2026)
Georgia dental hygienists earn a median $95,490 per year. See salary percentiles, city-by-city pay rates, and how Georgia compares to neighboring states.
Aug 20, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in North Carolina (2026)
Dental hygienist salaries in North Carolina range from $77,270 to $103,850. See median pay, city breakdowns, and how NC compares to neighboring states.
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 21, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in Nebraska (2026)
Dental hygienist salaries in Nebraska range from $67,600 to $98,080. See median pay, city breakdowns, and how Nebraska compares to neighboring states.
See Rippling in action
Increase savings, automate busy work, and make better decisions by managing HR, IT, and Finance in one place.