Dental Hygienist Salary in Akron, OH: $87,069 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Akron, OH earns a median $87,069/year (≈ $41.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Akron's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $93,252 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Akron, Ohio, the job market for dental hygienists is steady, supported by approximately 460 professionals currently employed in this field. The projected median annual salary in 2026 is $87,069, which falls significantly below the national median of $102,946. Salaries for dental hygienists in the area range from $66,133 at the 10th percentile to $100,805 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from data based on 2025 BLS OEWS information, projected forward to 2026, reflecting a 4.94% annual growth rate. This growth is indicative of a robust demand for trained hygienists, despite the slightly lower pay compared to the national average, suggesting a competitive job market where local employers are keen to attract talent.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,133 | $31.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,814 | $38.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,069 | $41.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,770 | $47.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,805 | $48.46 |
Median Salary Position
15.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Akron
In Akron, OH, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,672 (2026 est.). At $87,069, the local median is 15.42% below the national median of $102,946.
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At 40 hours/week in Akron: You'd be above the median
How Akron Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Akron median: $87,069/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Akron Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $88,755 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -15.42% less |
Dental Hygienists in Akron, OH earn a median of $87,069 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.42% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.90% below the Ohio state average of $88,755.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Akron has a cost of living 6.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Akron, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.37 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $87,069 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,252 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.1% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$72,720
2025 BLS Actual
$82,970
2026 Current Est.
$87,069
2020–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Akron (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $72,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,069 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $91,370 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Akron metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 14.1% from $72,720 (2020) to $82,970 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $91,370 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,650 (25.65%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Akron 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) | $66,133 – $80,814 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,814 – $87,069 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,069 – $98,770 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,770 – $100,805 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Akron
Dental hygienist salaries in Akron are influenced by various factors within the local economy. The cost of living index, measured at 93.37, indicates that expenses in the area are below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of dental hygienists' earnings. Private practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) might offer different compensation packages; DSOs like Heartland Dental and Aspen often provide attractive sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits, making them potentially higher-paying employers compared to smaller, solo practices. Factors such as production-based bonuses, work schedules, and the presence of health benefits also contribute to the pay disparity seen in the market. For dental hygienists aspiring to maximize their pay in Akron, targeting employment with DSOs or roles that allow for flexible scheduling could be advantageous strategies.
More salary data for Akron, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $82,970 for dental hygienistsin the Akron 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