Dental Hygienist Salary in Hampton, VA: $105,191 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Hampton, VA earns a median $105,191/year (≈ $50.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Hampton's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $101,929 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hampton, Virginia, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists is $105,191 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $102,946. This competitive rate reflects local demand for skilled dental professionals, with salaries ranging from $81,404 at the 10th percentile to $138,371 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost of living, suggest that dental hygienists in Hampton can earn a substantial income compared to many other occupations. The local job market exhibits a strong need for these practitioners, which can provide opportunities for both new and experienced dental hygienists in the area.
About the Hampton Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($94,466) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,404 | $39.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,983 | $43.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $105,191 | $50.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $120,574 | $57.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,371 | $66.52 |
Median Salary Position
2.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hampton
In Hampton, VA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,967 (2026 est.). At $105,191, the local median is 2.18% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hampton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hampton Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Hampton median: $105,191/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hampton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $105,296 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +2.18% more |
Dental Hygienists in Hampton, VA earn a median of $105,191 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.18% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 0.10% below the Virginia state average of $105,296.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hampton has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hampton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $105,191 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,929 — a 3.1% 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
$77,353
2025 BLS Actual
$100,239
2026 Current Est.
$105,191
2020–2027 Growth
+42.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Hampton (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $77,353 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,447 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,011 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,772 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,239 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,191 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,387 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hampton metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 29.6% from $77,353 (2020) to $100,239 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,387 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,034 (42.71%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hampton 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) | $81,404 – $89,983 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,983 – $105,191 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $105,191 – $120,574 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $120,574 – $138,371 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Hampton
With 24 dental hygienists currently employed in the Hampton area, job prospects remain stable. The cost of living index for Hampton stands at 103.2, indicating that while living expenses are slightly higher than the national average, the dental hygienist salaries in the region can support a comfortable lifestyle. Employers like Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), including Heartland and Aspen, often offer the most competitive pay through incentives such as sign-on bonuses, especially for recent graduates. The significant range in salaries reflects factors like production-based bonuses tied to patient retention and how many days per week an RDH works. Those seeking to maximize their earnings in the Hampton market should consider employment with DSOs, where comprehensive benefits are common, in contrast to many private practices that may offer fewer perks.
More salary data for Hampton, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Hampton, VA in 2026?
Is Hampton, VA a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Hampton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Hampton?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Hampton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $100,239 for dental hygienistsin the Hampton 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 Hampton 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