Dental Hygienist Salary in Utah: $94,399 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Utah's 41 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $94,399/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Utah sits at BEA RPP 98.1 (2% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $96,227 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Murray ($94,726), Salt Lake City ($94,330), Provo ($92,000).
In 2026, the average median salary for dental hygienists in Utah is projected to be $94,400, which is approximately 8.3% lower than the national median of $102,946. The highest paying city in the state is Murray at $99,405, while the lowest is Clinton at $82,802. This $16,603 salary gap between these cities can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for dental services, and the density of the population. Utah requires specific state licensing, which includes completing an accredited dental hygiene program and passing both written and clinical exams. The scope of practice laws in the state can also impact a hygienist's responsibilities and salary potential. The demand for dental hygienists is expected to grow at an annual rate of 4.94%, indicating a steady job market and opportunities for new graduates joining the field. The total number of employed dental hygienists in Utah stands at 3,764, highlighting a significant workforce in this occupation. As cities like Salt Lake City ($98,990) and Provo ($96,545) show competitive salaries, the outlook for dental hygiene professionals in Utah remains positive, supported by ongoing health awareness and dental care needs across communities.
Utah Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Utah: $64,742 (lowest entry-level) to $131,218 (highest top earner)
Utah vs National Average
Utah dental hygienists earn 8.3% less than the national median ($-8,547/year difference).
Utah Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Utah range from $75,409 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $105,161 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $94,399. The Utah median is $8,547 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $45.38/hr. Approximately 3,764 dental hygienists are employed across 41 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$71,703
2025 BLS Actual
$89,956
2026 Current Est.
$94,399
2020–2027 Growth
+38.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Utah (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $71,703 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,879 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,456 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,956 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,399 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,063 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Utah metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 25.5% from $71,703 (2020) to $89,956 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,063 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,360 (38.16%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Utah 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Utah
Lowest Paying Cities in Utah
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Clinton | $82,802 |
| North Ogden | $83,213 |
| Park City | $83,448 |
| Payson | $84,095 |
| Highland | $84,270 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Utah
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Utah cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Murray | $99,405 | 98.1 | $101,330 |
| Provo | $96,545 | 98.232 | $98,283 |
| Salt Lake City | $98,990 | 100.868 | $98,138 |
| Orem | $95,529 | 98.1 | $97,379 |
| Lehi | $94,625 | 98.1 | $96,458 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Utah
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $75,409 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $94,399 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $105,161 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Utah metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 41 Cities in Utah
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Murray | $99,405 |
| 2 | Salt Lake City | $98,990 |
| 3 | Provo | $96,545 |
| 4 | Orem | $95,529 |
| 5 | Lehi | $94,625 |
| 6 | West Jordan | $90,980 |
| 7 | West Valley City | $90,835 |
| 8 | Sandy | $90,653 |
| 9 | South Jordan | $90,136 |
| 10 | Ogden | $89,545 |
| 11 | Draper | $89,313 |
| 12 | Layton | $89,023 |
| 13 | Holladay | $88,676 |
| 14 | Spanish Fork | $88,662 |
| 15 | American Fork | $88,475 |
| 16 | Saratoga Springs | $88,377 |
| 17 | Cedar City | $88,349 |
| 18 | Cottonwood Heights | $88,051 |
| 19 | Midvale | $88,051 |
| 20 | Roy | $88,016 |
| 21 | Tooele | $87,953 |
| 22 | Herriman | $87,923 |
| 23 | Taylorsville | $87,278 |
| 24 | Kaysville | $87,147 |
| 25 | Syracuse | $87,015 |
| 26 | Washington | $86,988 |
| 27 | St. George | $86,985 |
| 28 | Millcreek | $86,498 |
| 29 | Bountiful | $85,939 |
| 30 | Logan | $85,568 |
| 31 | Clearfield | $85,536 |
| 32 | Pleasant Grove | $85,480 |
| 33 | Springville | $84,951 |
| 34 | Eagle Mountain | $84,916 |
| 35 | Riverton | $84,826 |
| 36 | Vineyard | $84,688 |
| 37 | Highland | $84,270 |
| 38 | Payson | $84,095 |
| 39 | Park City | $83,448 |
| 40 | North Ogden | $83,213 |
| 41 | Clinton | $82,802 |
More Utah Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Compare Cities in Utah
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Utah in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Utah?
How does Utah dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Utah?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Utah?
Which Utah city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across Utah. State averages are employment-weighted across 41 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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