Dental Hygienist Pay

Lakeville vs Minneapolis: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Lakeville, MN and Minneapolis, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lakeville, MN
$103,600
$49.80/hr
Minneapolis, MN
$118,194
$56.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLakeville, MNMinneapolis, MN
Median Salary$103,600$118,194
Hourly Rate$49.80$56.83
Entry Level (P10)$82,240$90,248
25th Percentile$89,931$108,225
75th Percentile$111,831$122,738
Top Earner (P90)$137,766$128,216
Total Employed152,590
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lakeville ($103,600) and Minneapolis ($118,194) dental hygienist salaries.LakevilleMinneapolisMedian Salary$103,600$118,194Entry Level (P10)$82,240$90,248Top Earner (P90)$137,766$128,216US Median $102,946

Verdict

Minneapolis, MN offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lakeville.

The salary gap between Lakeville and Minneapolis is $14,594 (14.09%). Minneapolis's median is +14.81% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lakeville spans $55,526,Minneapolis spans $37,968. Lakeville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lakeville
P10 (Entry)$82,240
P25$89,931
Median$103,600
P75$111,831
P90 (Top)$137,766
Minneapolis
P10 (Entry)$90,248
P25$108,225
Median$118,194
P75$122,738
P90 (Top)$128,216

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Minneapolis ($112,757 effective) pays 7.21% more than Lakeville ($105,178 effective).

Lakeville
Nominal: $103,600
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $105,178
Minneapolis
Nominal: $118,194
CoL Index: 104.822
Adjusted: $112,757

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lakeville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($137,766)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Minneapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($118,194/year)
  • Larger job market (2,590 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,757)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Lakeville grew 31.5% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 45.0% growth in Minneapolis over the same period.

Lakeville, MN

+31.5%

$75,097 (2020) → $98,723 (2025)

Minneapolis, MN

+45.0%

$77,650 (2020) → $112,630 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Lakeville or Minneapolis?

Minneapolis has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $118,194/year, compared to Lakeville at $103,600/year — a difference of $14,594 (14.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lakeville and Minneapolis?

Lakeville dental hygienists earn $49.80/hr while Minneapolis hygienists earn $56.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lakeville to Minneapolis as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lakeville and Minneapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lakeville = $105,178, Minneapolis = $112,757), job availability (15 vs 2,590 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Lakeville vs Minneapolis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $82,240 in Lakeville and $90,248 in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis 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