Dental Hygienist Salary in Lakewood, NJ: $117,667 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Lakewood, NJ earns a median $117,667/year (≈ $56.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $102,141 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the dental hygienist salary in Lakewood, NJ, reaches a projected median of $117,667, outperforming the national median of $102,946 by 14.30%. The expected salary range for dental hygienists in the area spans from $89,834 at the 10th percentile to $157,566 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities present within this profession. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic factors, emphasizing Lakewood's competitive pay structure for dental hygienists. This alignment with the higher average salary is likely driven by the local dental market's demand for skilled professionals and the relatively low number of employed dental hygienists, which stands at 31.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($97,839) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $89,834 | $43.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $99,727 | $47.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $117,667 | $56.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,928 | $64.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $157,566 | $75.76 |
Median Salary Position
14.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, NJ, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,732 (2026 est.). At $117,667, the local median is 14.3% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $117,667/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $118,616 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +14.30% more |
Dental Hygienists in Lakewood, NJ earn a median of $117,667 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.30% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 0.80% below the New Jersey state average of $118,616.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $117,667 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $102,141 — a 13.19% reduction.
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
$84,325
2025 BLS Actual
$112,128
2026 Current Est.
$117,667
2020–2027 Growth
+46.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lakewood (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $84,325 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,582 | Actual |
| 2022 | $91,362 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,148 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,109 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,128 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $117,667 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $123,480 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 33.0% from $84,325 (2020) to $112,128 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $123,480 by 2027 — a total increase of $39,155 (46.43%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $89,834 – $99,727 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $99,727 – $117,667 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $117,667 – $133,928 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,928 – $157,566 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Lakewood
An examination of the local job market in Lakewood reveals nuances that greatly impact dental hygienist pay. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, professionals may find that their purchasing power is somewhat limited despite the higher salaries. Dental practices within the area vary significantly in compensation models; solo practices may offer competitive salaries, while large Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) frequently provide additional incentives like sign-on bonuses and benefits that can enhance overall pay. The disparity between the lowest and highest salaries stems from several factors, including production-based bonuses linked to patient retention and the number of working days each week. To maximize earnings, dental hygienists in Lakewood should seek opportunities with DSOs that offer comprehensive benefits and higher pay structures or consider negotiating their pay based on their production efficiency and patient care expertise.
More salary data for Lakewood, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Lakewood, NJ in 2026?
Is Lakewood, NJ a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Lakewood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Lakewood?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Lakewood?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $112,128 for dental hygienistsin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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