Dental Hygienist Salary in Wildwood, MO: $89,604 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Wildwood, MO earns a median $89,604/year (≈ $43.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Wildwood's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $100,004 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Wildwood, Missouri, can expect a median annual salary of $89,604, a figure that indicates a competitive yet slightly lower earning potential when compared to the national median of $102,946. The salary range for these professionals spans from $70,422 at the lower end to $109,031 for those earning in the top percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, factoring in local cost adjustments. With only five dental hygienists currently employed in Wildwood, the market appears relatively stable, suggesting that growth is on the horizon, likely aligning with the projected annual growth rate of 4.94%.
About the Wildwood Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($86,161) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,422 | $33.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,829 | $36.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,604 | $43.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,563 | $46.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,031 | $52.42 |
Median Salary Position
12.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wildwood
In Wildwood, MO, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,609 (2026 est.). At $89,604, the local median is 12.96% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wildwood: You'd be above the median
How Wildwood Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Wildwood median: $89,604/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wildwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $90,327 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -12.96% less |
Dental Hygienists in Wildwood, MO earn a median of $89,604 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.96% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.80% below the Missouri state average of $90,327.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wildwood has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wildwood, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $89,604 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,004 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$68,225
2025 BLS Actual
$85,386
2026 Current Est.
$89,604
2020–2027 Growth
+37.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Wildwood (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $68,225 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,055 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,683 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,227 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,335 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,386 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,604 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,031 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wildwood metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 25.2% from $68,225 (2020) to $85,386 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,031 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,806 (37.82%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wildwood 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) | $70,422 – $76,829 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,829 – $89,604 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,604 – $96,563 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,563 – $109,031 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Wildwood
Understanding the local job market's nuances is essential for maximizing earnings as a dental hygienist in Wildwood, MO. With a cost-of-living index of 89.6, residents generally enjoy lower living expenses, which can enhance overall purchasing power despite a lower salary figure compared to national averages. Employers that typically offer the highest pay in the area include Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) and multi-doctor group practices, which may provide comprehensive benefits and performance incentives. The disparity between lower and higher wages often arises from factors such as the structure of compensation packages, work schedules, and the volume of patient care. For those seeking to elevate their dental hygienist pay in Wildwood, focusing on securing positions with DSOs, which often promise sign-on bonuses for new graduates, or enhancing skills related to periodontal care could considerably boost income potential.
More salary data for Wildwood, MO:
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 $85,386 for dental hygienistsin the Wildwood 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 Wildwood 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