Dental Hygienist Salary in Emporia, KS: $86,391 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Emporia, KS earns a median $86,391/year (≈ $41.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Emporia's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $95,040 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With five dental hygienists employed in Emporia, Kansas, the local job market offers a promising salary of $86,391 in 2026, though this is notably below the national median of $102,946. The projected range for dental hygienist pay in Emporia spans from $71,533 at the 10th percentile to $106,365 at the 90th percentile, indicating a moderate disparity in earnings based on experience and practice settings. These estimates derive from BLS state-level data and adjustments related to regional cost of living, which is indexed at 90.9, slightly below the national average. As the demand for dental hygienists continues to grow, opportunities for advancement and increased compensation may present themselves in this local market.
About the Emporia Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($80,322) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,533 | $34.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,245 | $36.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,391 | $41.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,500 | $45.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,365 | $51.14 |
Median Salary Position
16.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Emporia
In Emporia, KS, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,832 (2026 est.). At $86,391, the local median is 16.08% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Emporia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Emporia Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Emporia median: $86,391/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Emporia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $93,598 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -16.08% less |
Dental Hygienists in Emporia, KS earn a median of $86,391 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.08% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 7.70% below the Kansas state average of $93,598.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Emporia has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Emporia, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $86,391 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,040 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$64,064
2025 BLS Actual
$82,324
2026 Current Est.
$86,391
2020–2027 Growth
+41.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Emporia (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $64,064 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,385 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,427 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,705 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,324 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,391 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,659 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Emporia metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 28.5% from $64,064 (2020) to $82,324 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,659 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,595 (41.51%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Emporia 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) | $71,533 – $76,245 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,245 – $86,391 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,391 – $94,500 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,500 – $106,365 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Emporia
In examining the dental hygienist salary in Emporia, KS, it’s crucial to consider the unique characteristics of the job market. The cost of living index suggests that while salaries are below the national average, the purchasing power remains more favorable for residents. Employers vary in compensation; those in multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) tend to offer higher wages due to the ability to provide production-based bonuses and comprehensive benefits packages that private practices may lack. Factors such as schedules and the availability of sign-on bonuses can significantly influence take-home pay; for instance, those opting for full-time positions often see higher earnings compared to part-time roles. Securing a position in a high-demand specialty practice can also enhance earning potential, making it essential for aspiring dental hygienists in Emporia to seek opportunities in both traditional and emerging dental care settings to maximize their income.
More salary data for Emporia, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Emporia, KS in 2026?
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Emporia?
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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 $82,324 for dental hygienistsin the Emporia 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 Emporia 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