Dental Hygienist Pay

Sunrise vs Tampa: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Sunrise, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sunrise, FL
$93,654
$45.03/hr
Tampa, FL
$100,606
$48.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSunrise, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$93,654$100,606
Hourly Rate$45.03$48.37
Entry Level (P10)$72,427$82,945
25th Percentile$80,074$88,160
75th Percentile$103,406$102,421
Top Earner (P90)$119,385$103,880
Total Employed231,670
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sunrise ($93,654) and Tampa ($100,606) dental hygienist salaries.SunriseTampaMedian Salary$93,654$100,606Entry Level (P10)$72,427$82,945Top Earner (P90)$119,385$103,880US Median $102,946

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Sunrise.

The salary gap between Sunrise and Tampa is $6,952 (7.42%). Tampa's median is -2.27% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sunrise spans $46,958,Tampa spans $20,935. Sunrise has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Sunrise
P10 (Entry)$72,427
P25$80,074
Median$93,654
P75$103,406
P90 (Top)$119,385
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$82,945
P25$88,160
Median$100,606
P75$102,421
P90 (Top)$103,880

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($99,719 effective) pays 7.33% more than Sunrise ($92,911 effective).

Sunrise
Nominal: $93,654
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $92,911
Tampa
Nominal: $100,606
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $99,719

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sunrise if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($119,385)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,606/year)
  • Larger job market (1,670 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,719)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Sunrise grew 30.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 25.6% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Sunrise, FL

+30.8%

$68,207 (2020) → $89,245 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+25.6%

$76,360 (2020) → $95,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Sunrise or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $100,606/year, compared to Sunrise at $93,654/year — a difference of $6,952 (7.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sunrise and Tampa?

Sunrise dental hygienists earn $45.03/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $48.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sunrise to Tampa as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sunrise and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sunrise = $92,911, Tampa = $99,719), job availability (23 vs 1,670 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Sunrise vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $72,427 in Sunrise and $82,945 in Tampa. The Tampa 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