Dental Hygienist Salary in Lander, WY: $94,511 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Lander, WY earns a median $94,511/year (≈ $45.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Lander's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $98,654 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Wyoming state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Lander, Wyoming's job market for dental hygienists shows a promising outlook, with a projected median pay of $94,511 for 2026. This figure positions Lander's dental hygienist salary below the national average of $102,946, reflecting a potential for growth given the local employment context, where only four hygienists are currently practicing. With salary ranges spanning from $75,812 at the lower decile to $114,344 at the upper decile, these estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost variations, highlight both the earning potential and the opportunities for specialization in a less saturated market. The limited number of hygienists employed in Lander suggests that job seekers may find favorable conditions to negotiate salaries and benefits.
About the Lander Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($83,513) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,812 | $36.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,934 | $39.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,511 | $45.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,851 | $48.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,344 | $54.98 |
Median Salary Position
8.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lander
In Lander, WY, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,532 (2026 est.). At $94,511, the local median is 8.19% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lander: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lander Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Lander median: $94,511/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lander Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Average | $98,655 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -8.19% less |
Dental Hygienists in Lander, WY earn a median of $94,511 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.19% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.20% below the Wyoming state average of $98,655.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lander has a cost of living 4.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lander, WY has a cost-of-living index of 95.8 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $94,511 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,654 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.38% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$70,773
2025 BLS Actual
$90,062
2026 Current Est.
$94,511
2020–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lander (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $70,773 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,434 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,358 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,191 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,062 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,511 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,180 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lander metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 27.3% from $70,773 (2020) to $90,062 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,180 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,407 (40.14%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lander 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) | $75,812 – $81,934 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,934 – $94,511 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,511 – $101,851 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,851 – $114,344 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Lander
While the median salary is attractive, the local cost of living index at 95.8 reveals valuable insights into the real purchasing power of dental hygienists in Lander, WY. Specifically, understanding employer dynamics is essential; salaries can vary significantly across different practice types, such as private practices, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), and public health clinics. DSOs, like Aspen or Heartland Dental, often provide more competitive pay and full benefits, including production-based bonuses. Conversely, solo practices may not match these offerings, often lacking health insurance. Gaining the highest pay in this area may involve negotiating for better schedules and incentives tied to performance, such as recare retention bonuses. Thus, for dental hygienists starting their careers or transitioning to Lander's market, focusing on employment with larger organizations can significantly impact overall compensation and job satisfaction.
More salary data for Lander, WY:
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 $90,062 for dental hygienistsin the Lander 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 Lander 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