Dental Hygienist Salary in Richmond, VA: $109,400 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Richmond, VA earns a median $109,400/year (≈ $52.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $111,795 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Richmond, Virginia, the 2026 median annual salary for dental hygienists is projected at $109,400, which is significantly above the national median of $102,946. This higher figure offers a positive outlook for those in dental hygiene looking to maximize their earning potential, especially considering the salary range spans from $99,557 at the 10th percentile to $125,246 at the 90th percentile. Furthermore, this data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), reflects a robust job market with local compensation that outpaces the national average by about 6.27%. Such a favorable financial picture illustrates a thriving professional environment for dental hygienists in Richmond, VA, who provide critical services in an industry increasingly influenced by evolving practice models.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,557 | $47.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,036 | $51.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,400 | $52.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,862 | $52.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,246 | $60.21 |
Median Salary Position
6.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,689 (2026 est.). At $109,400, the local median is 6.27% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Richmond median: $109,400/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $105,294 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | +6.27% more |
Dental Hygienists in Richmond, VA earn a median of $109,400 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.27% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 3.90% above the Virginia state average of $105,294.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $109,400 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $111,795 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$75,620
2025 BLS Actual
$104,250
2026 Current Est.
$109,400
2020–2027 Growth
+51.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Richmond (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $75,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $91,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,250 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,400 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $114,804 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 37.9% from $75,620 (2020) to $104,250 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $114,804 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,184 (51.82%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $99,557 – $108,036 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,036 – $109,400 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,400 – $109,862 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,862 – $125,246 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Richmond
With approximately 780 dental hygienists employed in Richmond, the local job market for this profession remains competitive, yet the cost of living index stands at 97.858, suggesting more purchasing power for residents compared to other regions. In this environment, larger employers such as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often lead the way in compensation, frequently offering sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits that might be lacking in private practices. Factors influencing pay disparities include production-based bonuses, work schedule variations, and benefits availability, with many practices still operating without full health insurance. Therefore, for dental hygienists in Richmond, strategically seeking employment in DSOs or multi-doctor practices can enhance overall pay and benefits, making it a practical consideration for both new professionals and seasoned practitioners alike.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
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 $104,250 for dental hygienistsin the Richmond 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
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