Dental Hygienist Salary in Richmond, IN: $88,029 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Richmond, IN earns a median $88,029/year (≈ $42.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $96,417 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richmond, Indiana, dental hygienists can expect a median annual salary of $88,029 in 2026, a figure that reflects local economic conditions adjusted for the cost of living. This represents a salary range from $66,070 at the 10th percentile to $107,127 for those at the 90th percentile. Despite this competitive compensation compared to local economic standards, it falls roughly 14.49% below the national median of $102,946 for dental hygienists. These salary estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, illustrate a growing recognition of the profession’s value amidst evolving dental healthcare dynamics, offering promising opportunities for aspiring hygienists in Richmond.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($89,222) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,070 | $31.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,746 | $37.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,029 | $42.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,678 | $45.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,127 | $51.50 |
Median Salary Position
14.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, IN, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,057 (2026 est.). At $88,029, the local median is 14.49% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be above the median
How Richmond Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Richmond median: $88,029/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $90,472 | -2.70% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -14.49% less |
Dental Hygienists in Richmond, IN earn a median of $88,029 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.49% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.70% below the Indiana state average of $90,472.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $88,029 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,417 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2020 BLS Actual
$73,750
2025 BLS Actual
$83,885
2026 Current Est.
$88,029
2020–2027 Growth
+25.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Richmond (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $73,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,976 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,076 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,584 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,885 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,029 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,378 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 13.7% from $73,750 (2020) to $83,885 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,378 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,628 (25.26%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $66,070 – $78,746 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,746 – $88,029 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,029 – $94,678 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,678 – $107,127 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Richmond
A localized examination of the dental hygienist pay in Richmond IN reveals a modest job market with only 7 dental hygienists currently employed in the area, underscoring the competitive landscape for open positions. The cost-of-living index is set at 91.3, indicating that the nominal salary will stretch further than it might in regions with a higher index. Among potential employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen are known for providing better pay and comprehensive benefits compared to solo practices, which often lack health insurance and other perks. Factors influencing salary disparities include production-based bonuses tied to periodontal care and the number of workdays per week, highlighting the importance of understanding varying employer expectations. For those looking to maximize earnings, seeking positions with DSOs and negotiating flexible work arrangements could offer enhanced financial benefits in the Richmond job market.
More salary data for Richmond, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Richmond, IN in 2026?
Is Richmond, IN a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Richmond?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Richmond?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Richmond?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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 $83,885 for dental hygienistsin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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