Dental Hygienist Salary in Kearny, NJ: $114,728 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Kearny, NJ earns a median $114,728/year (≈ $55.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Kearny's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $99,590 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Dental hygienists in Kearny, NJ, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $114,728 in 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation landscape compared to the national median of $102,946. This places Kearny approximately 11.44% above the national average, highlighting its appeal for dental hygiene professionals seeking lucrative opportunities. The salary range extends from $94,814 at the 10th percentile to $145,013 at the 90th percentile, offering a broad spectrum of earning potential for various experience levels. These figures are informed by estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments. The local job market, with currently 11 dental hygienists employed in the area, indicates a consistent demand that is likely to support sustained salary growth.
About the Kearny Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($97,839) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,814 | $45.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,801 | $48.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $114,728 | $55.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,634 | $58.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $145,013 | $69.72 |
Median Salary Position
11.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearny
In Kearny, NJ, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,199 (2026 est.). At $114,728, the local median is 11.44% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearny: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearny Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Kearny median: $114,728/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearny Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $118,643 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +11.44% more |
Dental Hygienists in Kearny, NJ earn a median of $114,728 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.44% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 3.30% below the New Jersey state average of $118,643.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearny has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearny, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $114,728 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,590 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$82,218
2025 BLS Actual
$109,327
2026 Current Est.
$114,728
2020–2027 Growth
+46.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Kearny (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $82,218 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,619 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $93,746 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,544 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,327 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,728 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $120,395 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearny metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 33.0% from $82,218 (2020) to $109,327 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $120,395 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,177 (46.43%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearny 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $94,814 – $101,801 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,801 – $114,728 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $114,728 – $122,634 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,634 – $145,013 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Kearny
In a market where the cost of living index sits at 115.2, the purchasing power of dental hygienists in Kearny is notably impacted. While solo dental practices tend to offer less competitive salaries, many positions in Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen Dental provide higher compensation coupled with additional benefits such as health insurance and sign-on bonuses. The variation in pay is driven by factors such as production-based bonuses linked to perio care and practice retention rates. For those looking to maximize their earnings, aligning with a DSO, pursuing additional certifications, and opting for a full-time schedule can significantly enhance take-home pay in this local context. Understanding the specifics of the Kearny job market can empower dental hygienists to make informed career choices that lead to greater financial rewards.
More salary data for Kearny, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $109,327 for dental hygienistsin the Kearny metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kearny is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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