Dental Hygienist Pay

Highland vs Ogden: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Highland, UT and Ogden, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Highland, UT
$84,270
$40.52/hr
Ogden, UT
$89,545
$43.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHighland, UTOgden, UT
Median Salary$84,270$89,545
Hourly Rate$40.52$43.06
Entry Level (P10)$65,337$67,781
25th Percentile$76,360$87,793
75th Percentile$89,019$101,571
Top Earner (P90)$99,052$109,138
Total Employed4740
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Highland ($84,270) and Ogden ($89,545) dental hygienist salaries.HighlandOgdenMedian Salary$84,270$89,545Entry Level (P10)$65,337$67,781Top Earner (P90)$99,052$109,138US Median $102,946

Verdict

Ogden, UT offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Highland.

The salary gap between Highland and Ogden is $5,275 (6.26%). Ogden's median is -13.02% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Highland spans $33,715,Ogden spans $41,357. Ogden has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Highland
P10 (Entry)$65,337
P25$76,360
Median$84,270
P75$89,019
P90 (Top)$99,052
Ogden
P10 (Entry)$67,781
P25$87,793
Median$89,545
P75$101,571
P90 (Top)$109,138

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Ogden ($89,234 effective) pays 3.88% more than Highland ($85,902 effective).

Highland
Nominal: $84,270
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $85,902
Ogden
Nominal: $89,545
CoL Index: 100.349
Adjusted: $89,234

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Highland if…

  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Ogden if…

  • Higher median salary ($89,545/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($109,138)
  • Larger job market (740 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $89,234)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Highland grew 18.7% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 33.1% growth in Ogden over the same period.

Highland, UT

+18.7%

$67,642 (2020) → $80,303 (2025)

Ogden, UT

+33.1%

$64,090 (2020) → $85,330 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Highland or Ogden?

Ogden has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $89,545/year, compared to Highland at $84,270/year — a difference of $5,275 (6.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Highland and Ogden?

Highland dental hygienists earn $40.52/hr while Ogden hygienists earn $43.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Highland to Ogden as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Highland and Ogden. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Highland = $85,902, Ogden = $89,234), job availability (4 vs 740 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Highland vs Ogden?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $65,337 in Highland and $67,781 in Ogden. The Ogden area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH

Dental Career Analyst

Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov