Dental Hygienist Salary in Fredericksburg, VA: $102,520 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Fredericksburg, VA earns a median $102,520/year (≈ $49.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Fredericksburg's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $99,341 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fredericksburg, Virginia, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists stands at $102,520 in 2026, aligning closely with the national median of $102,946. Local estimates indicate a salary range extending from $77,448 at the 10th percentile to $131,158 at the 90th percentile, underscoring a competitive pay scale within this area. These figures, derived from the 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, shed light on the local job market's dynamics, which are influenced by demand for dental health services and the cost of living in Fredericksburg. Given the area’s diverse employment options, including both private practices and larger dental service organizations, the competitive landscape may lead to variances in salaries among dental hygienists practicing in the region.
About the Fredericksburg Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($94,466) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,448 | $37.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $91,758 | $44.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,520 | $49.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,160 | $54.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $131,158 | $63.06 |
Median Salary Position
0.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fredericksburg
In Fredericksburg, VA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,710 (2026 est.). At $102,520, the local median is 0.41% below the national median of $102,946.
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At 40 hours/week in Fredericksburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fredericksburg Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Fredericksburg median: $102,520/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fredericksburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $105,257 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -0.41% less |
Dental Hygienists in Fredericksburg, VA earn a median of $102,520 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.41% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.60% below the Virginia state average of $105,257.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fredericksburg has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fredericksburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,520 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $99,341 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$75,389
2025 BLS Actual
$97,694
2026 Current Est.
$102,520
2020–2027 Growth
+42.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Fredericksburg (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $75,389 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,828 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,252 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,802 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,213 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,694 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,520 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,585 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fredericksburg metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 29.6% from $75,389 (2020) to $97,694 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,585 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,196 (42.71%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fredericksburg 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) | $77,448 – $91,758 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $91,758 – $102,520 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,520 – $114,160 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,160 – $131,158 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Fredericksburg
With only seven dental hygienists currently employed in Fredericksburg, the local market reflects a specialized niche, contributing to its competitive salary structure. The cost of living index at 103.2 indicates that while housing and expenses may be slightly above the national average, the purchasing power remains robust for those in this profession. Positions in multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) typically offer higher pay due to volume-driven revenue mechanisms, which can include production-based bonuses linked to patient recalls and retention rates. Additionally, job opportunities often reveal disparities in salaries depending on the employment model: the security of full benefits from DSOs contrasts with private practices that may not offer health insurance. For dental hygienists looking to maximize pay in Fredericksburg, pursuing opportunities in group practices or DSOs, negotiating skills, and seeking roles with competitive sign-on bonuses or flexible work schedules can prove beneficial in enhancing overall compensation.
More salary data for Fredericksburg, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Fredericksburg?
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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 $97,694 for dental hygienistsin the Fredericksburg 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 Fredericksburg 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