Dental Hygienist Salary in High Point, NC: $87,051 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in High Point, NC earns a median $87,051/year (≈ $41.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in High Point's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $93,003 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.5% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In High Point, North Carolina, dental hygienists are projected to earn a median annual salary of $87,051 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position within the local job market. The salary range for this occupation varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $66,766 and the top 90% reaching approximately $116,967. These figures are based on estimates derived from state-level BLS data, adjusted for the regional cost of living in High Point's context. While the local median salary is lower than the national figure of $102,946, the area's employment of 23 dental hygienists indicates a relatively balanced market, offering opportunities without significant saturation.
About the High Point Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($90,933) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,766 | $32.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $74,010 | $35.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,051 | $41.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,317 | $47.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,967 | $56.24 |
Median Salary Position
15.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in High Point
In High Point, NC, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,201 (2026 est.). At $87,051, the local median is 15.44% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in High Point: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How High Point Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
High Point median: $87,051/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | High Point Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $100,637 | -13.50% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -15.44% less |
Dental Hygienists in High Point, NC earn a median of $87,051 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.44% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 13.50% below the North Carolina state average of $100,637.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
High Point 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.
High Point, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $87,051 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,003 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$71,336
2025 BLS Actual
$82,953
2026 Current Est.
$87,051
2020–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in High Point (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $71,336 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,885 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,718 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,953 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,051 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,351 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the High Point metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 16.3% from $71,336 (2020) to $82,953 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,351 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,015 (28.06%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the High Point 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) | $66,766 – $74,010 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $74,010 – $87,051 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,051 – $99,317 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,317 – $116,967 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in High Point
The job market for dental hygienists in High Point presents unique dynamics, particularly when considering the cost of living index, which stands at 93.6, indicating a more affordable lifestyle compared to national averages. With a total of 23 employed in the area, local practitioners can expect varying pay based on their employer type, with organizations like Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often offering the most comprehensive compensation packages, including production-based bonuses and sign-on incentives for new graduates. The disparity in pay across different settings can be attributed to factors such as practice size, benefits offered, and production expectations. For those looking to maximize their dental hygienist pay in High Point, targeting DSOs or participating in specialty practices focused on periodontal care may provide the best financial outcomes while adjusting for local cost considerations.
More salary data for High Point, NC:
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 $82,953 for dental hygienistsin the High Point 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 High Point 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