What the numbers say
Connecticut dental hygienists earned a median of $96,270 in 2024, about 2% above the national median of $94,162. That gap is modest. What stands out more is how compressed the wage range is: the 10th percentile sits at $84,390 and the 90th at $106,140, a spread of roughly $21,750. For most occupations we track, that spread is much wider. Here, even entry-level hygienists in the state earn close to what experienced peers do.
The mean wage of $96,090 is nearly identical to the median. That confirms the compression: there are no outlier-level earners pulling the average up. Pay in this occupation, in this state, clusters tightly around a central figure.
Connecticut's cost-of-living index sits at 109, meaning everyday expenses run about 9% above the national baseline. Adjusting for that, the $96,270 median translates to roughly $88,300 in national-baseline dollars. The nominal premium over the US median shrinks to a slight discount in real terms.
BLS projects employment for dental hygienists to grow 7% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as faster than average. Connecticut's total employment in this occupation was 3,320 in 2024, a relatively small pool. That size, combined with the tight wage band, suggests the local market for this role is stable but not especially stratified by experience or specialization.
Salary distribution
Where Connecticut dental hygienists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $95,150 and $98,450, with a median of $96,270.
Dental Hygienists pay by experience level in Connecticut
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 Connecticut 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 Connecticut metropolitan areas.
- Hartford$95,710
Compare Dental Hygienists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Dental Hygienists in Connecticut?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Dental Hygienists in Connecticut is $96,270.
- How does Connecticut compare to the national median for Dental Hygienists?
- The Connecticut median is +2.2% versus the BLS national figure of $94,162.
- What is the salary range for Dental Hygienists in Connecticut?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $84,390 and the 90th-percentile at $106,140, 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.