Dental Hygienist Salary in Caldwell, ID: $100,662 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Caldwell, ID earns a median $100,662/year (≈ $48.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Caldwell's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.3), that paycheck buys what $105,626 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Idaho state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As of 2026, the dental hygienist salary in Caldwell, ID, is projected to reach a competitive $100,662 annually, slightly below the national median of $102,946. With only eight employed dental hygienists in the area, this reflects a modestly saturated market, which may indicate a stable demand relative to the number of available professionals. The local salary range stretches from $73,144 at the 10th percentile to $125,596 at the 90th percentile, highlighting variability based on experience, practice type, and employment structure. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to account for regional price parities, and they position Caldwell's dental hygienist pay as relatively competitive in the context of Idaho's overall wages, illustrating a steady outlook for job seekers.
About the Caldwell Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($85,283) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,144 | $35.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,269 | $42.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,662 | $48.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,510 | $52.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,596 | $60.38 |
Median Salary Position
2.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Caldwell
In Caldwell, ID, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,452 (2026 est.). At $100,662, the local median is 2.22% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Caldwell: You'd be above the median
How Caldwell Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Caldwell median: $100,662/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Caldwell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $99,863 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -2.22% less |
Dental Hygienists in Caldwell, ID earn a median of $100,662 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.22% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 0.80% above the Idaho state average of $99,863.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Caldwell has a cost of living 4.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Caldwell, ID has a cost-of-living index of 95.3 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $100,662 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,626 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.93% boost.
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
$76,640
2025 BLS Actual
$95,923
2026 Current Est.
$100,662
2020–2027 Growth
+37.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Caldwell (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $76,640 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,246 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,641 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,683 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,923 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,662 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,634 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Caldwell metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 25.2% from $76,640 (2020) to $95,923 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,634 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,994 (37.83%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Caldwell 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) | $73,144 – $88,269 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,269 – $100,662 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,662 – $109,510 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,510 – $125,596 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Caldwell
The job market in Caldwell demonstrates a unique blend of opportunities and challenges for dental hygienists. With a cost-of-living index of 95.3, the purchasing power for dental hygienists is heightened, allowing salaries to stretch further than in many other regions. While private solo practices traditionally lead in compensation, larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen are increasingly attractive due to sign-on bonuses and full benefits, making them major players in influencing pay dynamics. The variance in salaries can largely be attributed to production-based bonuses tied to patient retention and the flexibility of scheduling, with full-time roles typically offering additional rewards. To maximize earnings, dental hygienists in Caldwell should consider engaging with DSOs or exploring opportunities that emphasize practice growth and patient-centric services, fostering both financial and career advancement.
More salary data for Caldwell, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Caldwell, ID in 2026?
Is Caldwell, ID a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Caldwell?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Caldwell?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Caldwell?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $95,923 for dental hygienistsin the Caldwell 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 Caldwell 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