What the numbers say
Dental Hygienists in Missouri earned a median annual wage of $83,270 in 2024, about 12% below the national median of $94,162. The gap is real, but Missouri's cost of living softens it. The state's overall price index sits at 90.6 against a national baseline of 100, so that $83,270 buys closer to $91,900 in national-baseline dollars. The actual purchasing gap narrows to roughly 2%.
The spread from the 10th to the 90th percentile runs from $78,070 to $102,390. That is a narrower range than we see in many clinical occupations, which suggests pay here clusters tightly around the middle rather than stretching wide at the top. A hygienist moving from an entry-level chair to a senior or specialty practice is not likely to see a dramatic income jump, at least not from wages alone.
Missouri employed about 2,840 Dental Hygienists in 2024. BLS projects employment in this occupation to grow 7% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as faster than average. If that pace holds, demand should remain steady enough to keep downward wage pressure limited.
The mean wage of $87,170 runs $3,900 above the median, a modest gap. A small share of higher-earning hygienists pulls the average up slightly, but the effect is mild. For most practitioners in the state, the median is the more accurate reference point.
Salary distribution
Where Missouri dental hygienists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $81,580 and $96,360, with a median of $83,270.
Dental Hygienists pay by experience level in Missouri
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 Missouri 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.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Dental Hygienists
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesTop metros in Missouri
Metro-level salary data for dental hygienists in major Missouri metropolitan areas.
- Kansas City$86,830
- St. Louis$86,660
Compare Dental Hygienists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Dental Hygienists in Missouri?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Dental Hygienists in Missouri is $83,270.
- How does Missouri compare to the national median for Dental Hygienists?
- The Missouri median is -11.6% versus the BLS national figure of $94,162.
- What is the salary range for Dental Hygienists in Missouri?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $78,070 and the 90th-percentile at $102,390, 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.