Dental Hygienist Salary in South Portland, ME: $103,321 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in South Portland, ME earns a median $103,321/year (≈ $49.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in South Portland's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $103,736 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Portland, Maine, the job market for dental hygienists is reasonably stable, with an estimated 4 professionals currently employed in the area. This limited workforce contributes to a projected median salary of $103,321 for 2026, which is slightly above the national median salary of $102,946. Additionally, the salary range varies significantly from $84,787 at the 10th percentile to $130,596 at the 90th percentile, indicating opportunities for both entry-level positions and more experienced roles. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted to account for regional cost variations. Overall, South Portland shows a promising environment for dental hygienists, especially as demand continues to grow, with an annual growth rate of 4.94% anticipated over the next five years.
About the South Portland Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($88,832) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $84,787 | $40.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,182 | $42.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,321 | $49.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $114,084 | $54.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,596 | $62.79 |
Median Salary Position
0.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Portland
In South Portland, ME, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,809 (2026 est.). At $103,321, the local median is 0.36% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Portland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Portland Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
South Portland median: $103,321/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Portland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $102,501 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | +0.36% more |
Dental Hygienists in South Portland, ME earn a median of $103,321 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.36% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 0.80% above the Maine state average of $102,501.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Portland has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Portland, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $103,321 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,736 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$67,782
2025 BLS Actual
$98,457
2026 Current Est.
$103,321
2020–2027 Growth
+60.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in South Portland (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $67,782 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,166 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,032 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,268 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,743 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,457 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,321 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,425 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Portland metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 45.3% from $67,782 (2020) to $98,457 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,425 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,643 (59.96%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Portland 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) | $84,787 – $89,182 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,182 – $103,321 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,321 – $114,084 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $114,084 – $130,596 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in South Portland
Despite the relatively low number of dental hygienists in South Portland, the local cost of living index stands at a modest 99.6, indicating affordability compared to the national average. This situation allows dental hygienists to enjoy a reasonable level of purchasing power from their salaries. Among various employment settings, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen tend to offer competitive compensation, often including sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits packages. The disparity in pay can stem from factors such as production-based incentives and varying work schedules. To maximize earnings in this specific market, professionals are advised to consider positions within DSOs, leverage their experience to negotiate salaries, and explore opportunities in private practices that offer health benefits. Understanding these nuances can help dental hygienists strategically navigate their career choices in South Portland, ME.
More salary data for South Portland, ME:
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 $98,457 for dental hygienistsin the South Portland 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 South Portland 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