Dental Hygienist Salary in Leland, NC: $93,452 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Leland, NC earns a median $93,452/year (≈ $44.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Leland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $99,842 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Leland, North Carolina, a dental hygienist can expect to earn a median annual salary of $93,452 by 2026, which is notably below the national median of $102,946. The projected salary range for this profession in the area varies from $78,297 at the 10th percentile (P10) to $113,091 at the 90th percentile (P90). These estimates are derived from state-level data and regional price parities that factor in the local cost of living, which stands below the national average at an index of 93.6. This lower cost of living could offer dental hygienists in Leland a more favorable purchasing power compared to higher-salary locations, even if the nominal figures appear less competitive.
About the Leland Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($90,933) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,297 | $37.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,144 | $39.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,452 | $44.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,710 | $49.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,091 | $54.37 |
Median Salary Position
9.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Leland
In Leland, NC, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,794 (2026 est.). At $93,452, the local median is 9.22% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Leland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Leland Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Leland median: $93,452/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Leland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $100,594 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -9.22% less |
Dental Hygienists in Leland, NC earn a median of $93,452 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.22% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 7.10% below the North Carolina state average of $100,594.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Leland has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Leland, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $93,452 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,842 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$66,613
2025 BLS Actual
$89,053
2026 Current Est.
$93,452
2020–2027 Growth
+47.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Leland (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $66,613 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,062 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,663 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,562 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,358 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,053 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,452 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,069 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Leland metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 33.7% from $66,613 (2020) to $89,053 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,069 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,456 (47.22%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Leland 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) | $78,297 – $83,144 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,144 – $93,452 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,452 – $102,710 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,710 – $113,091 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Leland
With only six dental hygienists currently employed in Leland, the local job market remains relatively small yet stable, presenting opportunities for both recent graduates and seasoned professionals. The cost of living index suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains viable. Employers, especially Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen, are leading the way in salary offerings through competitive wages and attractive sign-on bonuses, unlike many solo practices that may not provide substantial benefits. Factors such as production-based bonuses linked to patient retention and varying weekly work hours play significant roles in determining pay. To maximize earnings in this market, dental hygienists should consider opportunities within DSOs and leverage their negotiation skills around benefits, scheduling, and production incentives to secure the best financial packages in Leland, NC.
More salary data for Leland, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Leland, NC in 2026?
Is Leland, NC a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Leland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Leland?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Leland?
Related Pages
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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 $89,053 for dental hygienistsin the Leland 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 Leland 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