Dental hygienists in Washington earn a median annual salary of $131,160 and a mean of $131,530. The close alignment between those two figures suggests a relatively consistent pay distribution across the state, though city-level variation is real: Seattle averages $141,230 while Spokane averages $114,080. When setting your offer, use the median as your baseline and adjust upward based on location and candidate experience.
Dental hygienist salary in Washington (2026)
In this article
The average dental hygienist salary in Washington is $131,530 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $131,160 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Washington employs 6,330 dental hygienists, and the $370 gap between the mean and median signals real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Entry-level dental hygienists in Washington typically earn around $107,090, while senior specialists commonly reach or exceed the $162,050 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a dental hygienist hire in Washington, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $131,160 |
Average Annual Salary | $131,530 |
vs. National Average | 32.9% above the national mean of $98,990 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 6,330 employed dental hygienists across Washington.
See how Rippling handles payroll, benefits, and onboarding for your next dental hygienist hire.
Dental hygienist salary percentiles in Washington
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $107,090 |
25th Percentile | $122,000 |
75th Percentile | $134,670 |
90th Percentile | $162,050 |
Employers setting an offer for a dental hygienist in Washington should expect that even entry-level candidates typically command $107,090, leaving a relatively narrow band between the 25th and 75th percentiles of $122,000 to $134,670. Senior specialists push well above that band, reaching $162,050 at the 90th percentile, so roles requiring advanced experience or specialization will need offers anchored toward the upper end of this range.
Dental hygienist salary by city in Washington
City | Average Annual Salary |
Seattle | $141,230 |
Bellingham | $127,470 |
Kennewick | $117,500 |
Yakima | $117,370 |
Spokane | $114,080 |
Where you hire within Washington meaningfully affects what you will need to budget for a dental hygienist. Seattle-area practices average $141,230 per year, while Spokane practices average $114,080, a difference of more than $27,000 that should directly inform your location-based compensation planning. Employers hiring outside the Seattle metro can set competitive offers at noticeably lower rates without falling below market.
How Washington compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Washington | $131,530 | $131,160 |
California | $128,110 | $124,930 |
Oregon | $120,470 | $122,080 |
Colorado | $110,030 | $109,580 |
New York | $103,640 | $106,130 |
Texas | $96,240 | $99,240 |
Employers recruiting dental hygienists in Washington should expect compensation expectations to run higher than in most comparable states. Washington's mean of $131,530 exceeds California's $128,110 and sits well above Oregon's $120,470, meaning candidates relocating from those states may still expect Washington-level pay. Budgeting at or above the state median of $131,160 positions your offer competitively within the regional market.
Frequently asked questions about dental hygienist salary in Washington
How much do dental hygienists make in Washington state?
What do the top-earning dental hygienists make in Washington?
The 90th percentile threshold for dental hygienists in Washington is $162,050 per year. Senior specialists with advanced skills or experience in high-demand markets like Seattle are the candidates most likely to command offers at or above that level. Budget accordingly if the role you are filling requires specialized expertise or targets a competitive urban market.
What is the salary range for a dental hygienist in Washington?
The salary range for a dental hygienist in Washington runs from $107,090 at the 10th percentile to $162,050 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market sits between $122,000 at the 25th percentile and $134,670 at the 75th percentile, which is where most offers for mid-career candidates will land. Use the full range to set floor and ceiling expectations before you begin recruiting.
What is the average dental hygienist salary in Washington?
The average dental hygienist salary in Washington is $131,530 per year, which is 32.9% above the national mean of $98,990. The median of $131,160 is very close to that average, indicating that the pay distribution is not heavily skewed by outliers. For most hiring decisions, anchoring your offer to the $131,160 median and adjusting for city and seniority will keep you competitive in the Washington market.
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 17, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in California (2026)
California dental hygienists earn a median $124,930/year — 29% above the national average. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and how the state compares to others.
Jun 9, 2026
|
2 min
Dental hygienist salary in the US (2026)
The average dental hygienist salary in the US is $98,990. See salary percentiles and state-by-state pay data to benchmark your next hire.
Aug 19, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in Colorado (2026)
Colorado dental hygienists earn an average of $110,030 — 11% above the national mean. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and how Colorado compares to nearby states.
Aug 21, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in Idaho (2026)
Idaho dental hygienists earn a median $94,650 annually. Compare salaries by city, percentile, and neighboring states to set competitive offers.
Aug 21, 2026
|
4 min
Dental hygienist salary in Hawaii (2026)
Find out what dental hygienists earn in Hawaii — median $97,570 — with salary ranges by percentile, city, and state comparisons to guide your hiring budget.
Aug 19, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in Arizona (2026)
Arizona dental hygienists earn $101,450 on average. See salary ranges by city, percentile, and how Arizona compares to neighboring states.
Aug 19, 2026
|
3 min
Dental hygienist salary in Alabama (2026)
Dental hygienist salaries in Alabama average $60,850 per year. See pay by city, percentile, and how Alabama compares to neighboring states.
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.