Dental Hygienist Salary in Bozeman, MT: $109,820 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Bozeman, MT earns a median $109,820/year (≈ $52.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Bozeman's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.5), that paycheck buys what $107,131 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bozeman, Montana, the job market for dental hygienists appears robust, supported by the employment of approximately 110 professionals in the field. With a median annual salary projected at $109,820 for 2026, dental hygienists can expect competitive compensation that exceeds the national average by 6.68%. Salaries in this profession range from $105,905 at the lower end (P10) to $117,942 at the upper end (P90), indicating a healthy demand for hygienists and potential opportunities for growth within the local market. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights Bozeman's appeal as a promising city for dental hygiene professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $105,905 | $50.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $108,141 | $52.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $109,820 | $52.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,449 | $53.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,942 | $56.71 |
Median Salary Position
6.68% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bozeman
In Bozeman, MT, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,037 (2026 est.). At $109,820, the local median is 6.68% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bozeman: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bozeman Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Bozeman median: $109,820/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bozeman Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $103,020 | +6.60% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | +6.68% more |
Dental Hygienists in Bozeman, MT earn a median of $109,820 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.68% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 6.60% above the Montana state average of $103,020.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bozeman has a cost of living 2.51% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bozeman, MT has a cost-of-living index of 102.51 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $109,820 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $107,131 — a 2.45% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$77,157
2025 BLS Actual
$104,650
2026 Current Est.
$109,820
2020–2027 Growth
+49.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Bozeman (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $77,157 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,568 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,982 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $109,820 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115,245 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bozeman metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 35.6% from $77,157 (2020) to $104,650 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $115,245 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,088 (49.36%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bozeman 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) | $105,905 – $108,141 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $108,141 – $109,820 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $109,820 – $110,449 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,449 – $117,942 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Bozeman
The cost of living index in Bozeman stands at 102.51, slightly above the national average, which plays a significant role in determining overall take-home pay for dental hygienists. Those seeking employment in this area should be aware that practices affiliated with Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) generally offer the highest pay packages due to their ability to provide more comprehensive benefits compared to solo practices or smaller group offices. Factors driving the disparity in salaries include production-based bonuses linked to periodontal care and varying work schedules—those working four days a week may command different rates than those in five-day positions. To maximize earnings, dental hygienists can benefit from exploring opportunities with DSOs which are increasingly common in the region, while also negotiating for competitive sign-on bonuses that many are offering to attract skilled professionals.
More salary data for Bozeman, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Bozeman, MT in 2026?
Is Bozeman, MT a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Bozeman?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Bozeman?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Bozeman?
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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 $104,650 for dental hygienistsin the Bozeman 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
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