Dental Hygienist Salary in Delaware: $101,603 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $101,603/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $99,905 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($102,542), Newark ($99,125), Dover ($96,730).
In Delaware, the projected average median salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $101,603, which is slightly below the national median of $102,946, reflecting a variance of -1.3%. The salary range across cities varies significantly, with Wilmington offering the highest pay at $107,608 and Middletown the lowest at $96,734. This $10,874 salary gap can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, local demand for dental services, and the concentration of dental practices in urban areas. Delaware has specific licensing requirements that dental hygienists must fulfill, including completing an accredited program and passing national and state examinations. The scope of practice laws in Delaware allow for a range of duties that dental hygienists can perform, enhancing their job prospects. Demand for these professionals is driven by population growth and an increasing focus on preventative care in dentistry. The job market outlook for dental hygienists in Delaware is favorable, with a projected growth rate of 4.94% annually. As of 2026, there are 162 dental hygienists employed in the state, with leading cities such as Newark ($104,022), Dover ($101,508), Bear ($100,332), and Smyrna ($96,994) also showing promising salary figures.
Delaware Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $77,226 (lowest entry-level) to $133,782 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware dental hygienists earn 1.3% less than the national median ($-1,343/year difference).
Delaware Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Delaware range from $84,421 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $111,471 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $101,603. The Delaware median is $1,343 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $48.85/hr. Approximately 162 dental hygienists are employed across 6 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$70,864
2025 BLS Actual
$96,820
2026 Current Est.
$101,603
2020–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Delaware (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $70,864 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,006 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,007 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,327 | Actual |
| 2024 | $97,043 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,603 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,622 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 36.6% from $70,864 (2020) to $96,820 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,622 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,758 (50.46%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Middletown | $96,734 |
| Smyrna | $96,994 |
| Bear | $100,332 |
| Dover | $101,508 |
| Newark | $104,022 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $107,608 | 101.7 | $105,809 |
| Dover | $101,508 | 97.507 | $104,103 |
| Newark | $104,022 | 101.7 | $102,283 |
| Bear | $100,332 | 101.7 | $98,655 |
| Smyrna | $96,994 | 101.7 | $95,373 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $84,421 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $101,603 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $111,471 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $107,608 |
| 2 | Newark | $104,022 |
| 3 | Dover | $101,508 |
| 4 | Bear | $100,332 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $96,994 |
| 6 | Middletown | $96,734 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Delaware in 2026?
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How does Delaware dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Delaware?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Delaware?
Which Delaware city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov