Dental Hygienist Salary in Elyria, OH: $85,749 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Elyria, OH earns a median $85,749/year (≈ $41.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Elyria's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $94,541 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Elyria, Ohio, dental hygienists can expect a median annual salary of $85,749 in 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation trend when compared to state averages. The salary range for this occupation varies significantly, with the lowest earners making approximately $65,897 while the highest can reach up to $108,347. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments. Given Elyria’s cost of living index of 90.7, which is below the national average, these salaries present a relatively attractive opportunity for those considering a career in dental hygiene within this city.
About the Elyria Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($86,075) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,897 | $31.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,739 | $34.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,749 | $41.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,102 | $45.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,347 | $52.09 |
Median Salary Position
16.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elyria
In Elyria, OH, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,450 (2026 est.). At $85,749, the local median is 16.7% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elyria: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elyria Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Elyria median: $85,749/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elyria Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $88,767 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -16.70% less |
Dental Hygienists in Elyria, OH earn a median of $85,749 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.70% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.40% below the Ohio state average of $88,767.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elyria has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elyria, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $85,749 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,541 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$67,059
2025 BLS Actual
$81,712
2026 Current Est.
$85,749
2020–2027 Growth
+34.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Elyria (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $67,059 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,408 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,649 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,288 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,712 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,749 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,985 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elyria metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 21.9% from $67,059 (2020) to $81,712 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,985 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,926 (34.19%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elyria 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) | $65,897 – $72,739 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,739 – $85,749 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,749 – $94,102 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,102 – $108,347 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Elyria
Elyria employs around 14 dental hygienists, highlighting a localized but steady job market in this sector. The cost of living influences take-home pay, allowing hygienists to stretch their salaries over essential expenses. In terms of employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen tend to offer the highest pay, often enhancing compensation with production-based bonuses tied to patient retention and additional benefits that private practices may lack, such as health insurance. Those aiming to maximize their income in Elyria should consider opportunities with DSOs, seek employment in practices that prioritize perio recall and recare, and explore varied weekly schedules to increase their earning potential.
More salary data for Elyria, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $81,712 for dental hygienistsin the Elyria 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 Elyria 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