Dental Hygienist Salary in Highland, UT: $84,270 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Highland, UT earns a median $84,270/year (≈ $40.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Highland's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $85,902 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Highland, UT features a local employment count of just four dental hygienists, indicating a tight job market with limited saturation. In 2026, these dental professionals can expect a median annual salary of $84,270, which is notably below the national average of $102,946. The salary range for dental hygienists in Highland spans from $65,337 to $99,052, reflecting a salary structure shaped by local economic factors and cost-of-living adjustments. This local compensation landscape suggests that dental hygienists in Highland face distinct challenges but also opportunities for growth, especially considering the projected annual growth rate of 4.94%. To better understand how these figures translate into the job market, one can assess the specific conditions of employment in the region.
About the Highland Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($83,499) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,337 | $31.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,360 | $36.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,270 | $40.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,019 | $42.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,052 | $47.62 |
Median Salary Position
18.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Highland
In Highland, UT, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,715 (2026 est.). At $84,270, the local median is 18.14% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Highland: You'd be above the median
How Highland Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Highland median: $84,270/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Highland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $89,554 | -5.90% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -18.14% less |
Dental Hygienists in Highland, UT earn a median of $84,270 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.14% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.90% below the Utah state average of $89,554.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Highland has a cost of living 1.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Highland, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $84,270 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,902 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$67,642
2025 BLS Actual
$80,303
2026 Current Est.
$84,270
2020–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Highland (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $67,642 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,062 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,556 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,937 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,782 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,303 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,270 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,433 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Highland metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 18.7% from $67,642 (2020) to $80,303 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,433 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,791 (30.74%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Highland 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) | $65,337 – $76,360 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,360 – $84,270 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,270 – $89,019 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,019 – $99,052 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Highland
The salary statistics for dental hygienists in Highland reveal a nuanced local market where only four individuals are currently employed in this field. The cost of living index stands at 98.1, suggesting that while salaries are lower than the national average, they may sufficiently cover basic expenses in the area. Among local employers, multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) typically offer more attractive pay due to their resources and recruitment strategies, which may include sign-on bonuses or more comprehensive benefits compared to solo practices. The spread in pay often hinges on factors like production-based bonuses and varying full-time equivalent schedules, such as four-day workweeks compared to five. Those in Highland aiming to maximize their dental hygienist pay should seek positions in DSOs or larger multi-dental offices, where benefits and salary structures are more favorable, while also striving for higher production rates within their roles.
More salary data for Highland, UT:
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 $80,303 for dental hygienistsin the Highland 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 Highland 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