Dental Hygienist Pay

Minneapolis vs Richfield: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Minneapolis, MN
$118,194
$56.83/hr
Richfield, MN
$101,564
$48.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMinneapolis, MNRichfield, MN
Median Salary$118,194$101,564
Hourly Rate$56.83$48.83
Entry Level (P10)$90,248$82,890
25th Percentile$108,225$89,586
75th Percentile$122,738$108,006
Top Earner (P90)$128,216$127,839
Total Employed2,5909
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Minneapolis ($118,194) and Richfield ($101,564) dental hygienist salaries.MinneapolisRichfieldMedian Salary$118,194$101,564Entry Level (P10)$90,248$82,890Top Earner (P90)$128,216$127,839US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Minneapolis and Richfield is $16,630 (16.37%). 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 Minneapolis spans $37,968,Richfield spans $44,949. Richfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Minneapolis
P10 (Entry)$90,248
P25$108,225
Median$118,194
P75$122,738
P90 (Top)$128,216
Richfield
P10 (Entry)$82,890
P25$89,586
Median$101,564
P75$108,006
P90 (Top)$127,839

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Minneapolis ($112,757 effective) pays 9.36% more than Richfield ($103,111 effective).

Minneapolis
Nominal: $118,194
CoL Index: 104.822
Adjusted: $112,757
Richfield
Nominal: $101,564
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $103,111

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Minneapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($118,194/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,216)
  • Larger job market (2,590 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $112,757)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Richfield if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Minneapolis, MN

+45.0%

$77,650 (2020) → $112,630 (2025)

Richfield, MN

+31.5%

$73,621 (2020) → $96,783 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Minneapolis or Richfield?

Minneapolis has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $118,194/year, compared to Richfield at $101,564/year — a difference of $16,630 (16.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Minneapolis and Richfield?

Minneapolis dental hygienists earn $56.83/hr while Richfield hygienists earn $48.83/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Minneapolis and Richfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Minneapolis = $112,757, Richfield = $103,111), job availability (2,590 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $90,248 in Minneapolis and $82,890 in Richfield. 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