What the numbers say
Colorado's median wage for Dental Hygienists was $106,730 in 2024, about 13% above the national median of $94,162. That gap is real, though not as wide as the headline suggests once cost of living enters the picture.
Colorado's cost-of-living index sits at 103, just 3% above the national baseline. After adjusting for that, the effective purchasing-power advantage over the typical US Dental Hygienist narrows to roughly 10%. Still a premium, but a more modest one than the nominal figures imply.
The spread between the lowest and highest earners here is relatively tight. The 10th-percentile wage was $78,070 and the 90th percentile reached $126,000, a ratio of about 1.6 to 1. For context, that means top earners in Colorado make roughly 60% more than those just starting out. That is a narrower gap than we see in many other clinical occupations, which suggests less variation tied to employer type or sub-specialty than the national average.
BLS projects employment for Dental Hygienists to grow 7% between 2024 and 2034, a rate BLS classifies as faster than average. Colorado's 4,470 employed hygienists as of 2024 give that projection a reasonably large base to work from.
Salary distribution
Where Colorado dental hygienists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $100,130 and $114,290, with a median of $106,730.
Dental Hygienists pay by experience level in Colorado
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Colorado over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Associate's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Arm-Hand Steadiness
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Finger Dexterity
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Near Vision
Ability
- 3.8 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 3.8 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record and review patient medical histories.
- 02
Feel and visually examine gums for sores and signs of disease.
- 03
Examine gums, using probes, to locate periodontal recessed gums and signs of gum disease.
- 04
Clean calcareous deposits, accretions, and stains from teeth and beneath margins of gums, using dental instruments.
- 05
Provide clinical services or health education to improve and maintain the oral health of patients or the general public.
- 06
Chart conditions of decay and disease for diagnosis and treatment by dentist.
- 07
Expose and develop x-ray film.
- 08
Attend continuing education courses to maintain or update skills.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+7.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for dental hygienists in major Colorado metropolitan areas.
- Denver$107,870
Compare Dental Hygienists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Dental Hygienists in Colorado?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Dental Hygienists in Colorado is $106,730.
- How does Colorado compare to the national median for Dental Hygienists?
- The Colorado median is +13.3% versus the BLS national figure of $94,162.
- What is the salary range for Dental Hygienists in Colorado?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $78,070 and the 90th-percentile at $126,000, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Dental Hygienists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 7.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Dental Hygienists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Associate's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.