Dental Hygienist Salary in Scranton, PA: $74,224 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Scranton, PA earns a median $74,224/year (≈ $35.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Scranton's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $79,336 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.0% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Scranton, Pennsylvania, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists is $74,224 for 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation landscape despite being 27.90% lower than the national median of $102,946. The salary range for dental hygienists in this region varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $38,502 and experienced professionals earning up to $82,598. This information is derived from comprehensive surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), highlighting that around 400 dental hygienists are currently employed in Scranton. This steady number indicates a specific demand for dental hygiene professionals in the area, suggesting a healthy potential market for job seekers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,502 | $18.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,997 | $28.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,224 | $35.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,738 | $35.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,598 | $39.71 |
Median Salary Position
27.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scranton
In Scranton, PA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,096 (2026 est.). At $74,224, the local median is 27.9% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scranton: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Scranton Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Scranton median: $74,224/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scranton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $84,346 | -12.00% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -27.90% less |
Dental Hygienists in Scranton, PA earn a median of $74,224 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.90% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 12.00% below the Pennsylvania state average of $84,346.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scranton has a cost of living 6.44% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Scranton, PA has a cost-of-living index of 93.556 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $74,224 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,336 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.89% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$56,860
2025 BLS Actual
$70,730
2026 Current Est.
$74,224
2020–2027 Growth
+37.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Scranton (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $56,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,224 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,891 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scranton metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 24.4% from $56,860 (2020) to $70,730 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,891 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,031 (36.99%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scranton 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) | $38,502 – $58,997 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,997 – $74,224 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,224 – $74,738 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,738 – $82,598 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Scranton
The employment environment for dental hygienists in Scranton presents unique opportunities and challenges. With a cost of living index of 93.556, individuals working in this field may find that their take-home pay retains more value in day-to-day expenses compared to more expensive urban settings. Employers that tend to offer higher wages include Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which are increasingly popular and provide competitive benefits packages. The varying compensation levels can be attributed to factors such as production-based bonuses linked to patient retention and practice type, with solo practices traditionally offering lower compensation. Strategies for maximizing earnings may include pursuing opportunities with DSOs that offer sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits, or seeking positions in practices that emphasize advanced patient care services, particularly in periodontal and pediatric specialties. Understanding these dynamics can greatly aid professionals in determining the most lucrative paths in Scranton's dental hygiene market.
More salary data for Scranton, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Scranton?
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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 $70,730 for dental hygienistsin the Scranton 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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