Dental Hygienist Pay

Augusta vs Stockbridge: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Augusta, GA and Stockbridge, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, GA
$83,784
$40.29/hr
Stockbridge, GA
$84,578
$40.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GAStockbridge, GA
Median Salary$83,784$84,578
Hourly Rate$40.29$40.66
Entry Level (P10)$66,249$65,803
25th Percentile$78,096$75,494
75th Percentile$95,852$90,807
Top Earner (P90)$99,525$102,666
Total Employed3706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($83,784) and Stockbridge ($84,578) dental hygienist salaries.AugustaStockbridgeMedian Salary$83,784$84,578Entry Level (P10)$66,249$65,803Top Earner (P90)$99,525$102,666US Median $102,946

Verdict

Stockbridge, GA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Augusta.

The salary gap between Augusta and Stockbridge is $794 (0.95%). Stockbridge's median is -17.84% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $33,276,Stockbridge spans $36,863. Stockbridge has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$66,249
P25$78,096
Median$83,784
P75$95,852
P90 (Top)$99,525
Stockbridge
P10 (Entry)$65,803
P25$75,494
Median$84,578
P75$90,807
P90 (Top)$102,666

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($91,166 effective) pays 0.35% more than Stockbridge ($90,846 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $83,784
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $91,166
Stockbridge
Nominal: $84,578
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $90,846

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,166)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Stockbridge if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,578/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,666)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Augusta grew 34.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 20.0% growth in Stockbridge over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+34.8%

$59,220 (2020) → $79,840 (2025)

Stockbridge, GA

+20.0%

$67,171 (2020) → $80,597 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Augusta or Stockbridge?

Stockbridge has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $84,578/year, compared to Augusta at $83,784/year — a difference of $794 (0.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Stockbridge?

Augusta dental hygienists earn $40.29/hr while Stockbridge hygienists earn $40.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Stockbridge as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Stockbridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $91,166, Stockbridge = $90,846), job availability (370 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Augusta vs Stockbridge?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $66,249 in Augusta and $65,803 in Stockbridge. The Augusta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov