Dental Hygienist Pay

Boca Raton vs Miami: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Boca Raton, FL and Miami, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boca Raton, FL
$96,150
$46.23/hr
Miami, FL
$86,869
$41.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoca Raton, FLMiami, FL
Median Salary$96,150$86,869
Hourly Rate$46.23$41.77
Entry Level (P10)$71,084$80,426
25th Percentile$79,458$83,721
75th Percentile$105,516$97,951
Top Earner (P90)$127,599$103,933
Total Employed173,460
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boca Raton ($96,150) and Miami ($86,869) dental hygienist salaries.Boca RatonMiamiMedian Salary$96,150$86,869Entry Level (P10)$71,084$80,426Top Earner (P90)$127,599$103,933US Median $102,946

Verdict

Boca Raton, FL offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Miami.

The salary gap between Boca Raton and Miami is $9,281 (10.68%). Boca Raton's median is -6.60% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boca Raton spans $56,515,Miami spans $23,507. Boca Raton has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boca Raton
P10 (Entry)$71,084
P25$79,458
Median$96,150
P75$105,516
P90 (Top)$127,599
Miami
P10 (Entry)$80,426
P25$83,721
Median$86,869
P75$97,951
P90 (Top)$103,933

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boca Raton ($95,387 effective) pays 25.35% more than Miami ($76,097 effective).

Boca Raton
Nominal: $96,150
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $95,387
Miami
Nominal: $86,869
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $76,097

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boca Raton if…

  • Higher median salary ($96,150/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($127,599)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $95,387)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Miami if…

  • Larger job market (3,460 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Boca Raton grew 30.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 23.3% growth in Miami over the same period.

Boca Raton, FL

+30.8%

$70,025 (2020) → $91,624 (2025)

Miami, FL

+23.3%

$67,160 (2020) → $82,780 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Boca Raton or Miami?

Boca Raton has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $96,150/year, compared to Miami at $86,869/year — a difference of $9,281 (10.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boca Raton and Miami?

Boca Raton dental hygienists earn $46.23/hr while Miami hygienists earn $41.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boca Raton to Miami as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boca Raton and Miami. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boca Raton = $95,387, Miami = $76,097), job availability (17 vs 3,460 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Boca Raton vs Miami?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $71,084 in Boca Raton and $80,426 in Miami. The Miami 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