Dental Hygienist Salary in Des Moines, WA: $127,832 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Des Moines, WA earns a median $127,832/year (≈ $61.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Des Moines's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $119,024 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Des Moines, Washington, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $127,832, surpassing the national average by approximately 24.17%. Salaries in this field range from $99,774 at the lower end (P10) to $160,069 at the high end (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price disparities, reflect the increased compensation correlating with the demand for dental hygienists in the local job market. With competitive salaries, Des Moines offers a thriving environment for dental hygiene professionals seeking lucrative opportunities.
About the Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($123,942) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,774 | $47.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,392 | $52.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,832 | $61.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $140,230 | $67.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,069 | $76.95 |
Median Salary Position
24.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Des Moines
In Des Moines, WA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,295 (2026 est.). At $127,832, the local median is 24.17% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Des Moines Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Des Moines median: $127,832/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $128,993 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +24.17% more |
Dental Hygienists in Des Moines, WA earn a median of $127,832 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.17% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 0.90% below the Washington state average of $128,993.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Des Moines has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Des Moines, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $127,832 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $119,024 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$97,446
2025 BLS Actual
$121,814
2026 Current Est.
$127,832
2020–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Des Moines (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $97,446 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,832 | Actual |
| 2022 | $115,571 | Actual |
| 2023 | $122,563 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,078 | Actual |
| 2025 | $121,814 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,832 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,146 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Des Moines metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 25.0% from $97,446 (2020) to $121,814 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,146 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,700 (37.66%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Des Moines 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) | $99,774 – $109,392 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,392 – $127,832 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,832 – $140,230 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $140,230 – $160,069 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Des Moines
Understanding the local job market reveals that there are currently seven dental hygienists working in Des Moines, indicating a concentration that supports stable employment. The cost of living index, sitting at 107.4, suggests that while salaries are relatively high, living expenses may also be considerable, impacting overall purchasing power. Among various employment options, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen often provide higher pay due to their capacity for offering comprehensive benefits and incentives, such as sign-on bonuses. Factors that contribute to the diverse salary range include production-based bonuses linked to patient recall rates and differences in weekly work schedules. To maximize earning potential in the Des Moines market, dental hygienists should consider opportunities with DSOs or practices offering extensive benefits, while also negotiating for favorable terms regarding workload and hours.
More salary data for Des Moines, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Des Moines?
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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 $121,814 for dental hygienistsin the Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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