Dental Hygienist Pay

Homewood vs Mobile: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Homewood, AL and Mobile, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Homewood, AL
$61,335
$29.49/hr
Mobile, AL
$63,709
$30.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHomewood, ALMobile, AL
Median Salary$61,335$63,709
Hourly Rate$29.49$30.63
Entry Level (P10)$50,560$50,738
25th Percentile$54,328$61,862
75th Percentile$67,789$64,307
Top Earner (P90)$77,403$74,423
Total Employed5200
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Homewood ($61,335) and Mobile ($63,709) dental hygienist salaries.HomewoodMobileMedian Salary$61,335$63,709Entry Level (P10)$50,560$50,738Top Earner (P90)$77,403$74,423US Median $102,946

Verdict

Mobile, AL offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Homewood.

The salary gap between Homewood and Mobile is $2,374 (3.87%). Mobile's median is -38.11% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Homewood spans $26,843,Mobile spans $23,685. Homewood has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Homewood
P10 (Entry)$50,560
P25$54,328
Median$61,335
P75$67,789
P90 (Top)$77,403
Mobile
P10 (Entry)$50,738
P25$61,862
Median$63,709
P75$64,307
P90 (Top)$74,423

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mobile ($72,316 effective) pays 3.64% more than Homewood ($69,778 effective).

Homewood
Nominal: $61,335
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $69,778
Mobile
Nominal: $63,709
CoL Index: 88.098
Adjusted: $72,316

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Homewood if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($77,403)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Mobile if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,709/year)
  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,316)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Homewood grew 18.5% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 22.3% growth in Mobile over the same period.

Homewood, AL

+18.5%

$49,327 (2020) → $58,448 (2025)

Mobile, AL

+22.3%

$49,620 (2020) → $60,710 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Homewood or Mobile?

Mobile has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $63,709/year, compared to Homewood at $61,335/year — a difference of $2,374 (3.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Homewood and Mobile?

Homewood dental hygienists earn $29.49/hr while Mobile hygienists earn $30.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Homewood to Mobile as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Homewood and Mobile. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Homewood = $69,778, Mobile = $72,316), job availability (5 vs 200 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Homewood vs Mobile?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $50,560 in Homewood and $50,738 in Mobile. The Mobile area offers higher starting salaries.
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