What the numbers say
Dental Hygienists in North Dakota earned a median annual wage of $83,010 in 2024, about 12% below the US median of $94,162. That gap is real, but it tells only part of the story.
North Dakota's cost of living runs below the national average. Our index puts it at 91.9, meaning a dollar here buys more than a dollar in the average US state. After adjusting for that, the $83,010 median is closer to $90,300 in national-baseline dollars. The headline gap shrinks to roughly 4%.
The pay range here is tight. The bottom 10% of Dental Hygienists in the state earned $75,180, and the top 10% earned $94,910. That is a difference of about $19,700 from one end to the other. For comparison, many professional occupations show twice that spread. A narrow range like this usually reflects a workforce with fairly similar experience levels and work settings, most of it concentrated in private dental practices without a large high-paying outlier segment pulling the top up.
Employment in this occupation sits at about 580 positions statewide, so the labor market is small in absolute terms. BLS projects 7% growth between 2024 and 2034, which falls into the "faster than average" outlook category. For a state this size, even modest absolute job growth translates to meaningful hiring activity.
Salary distribution
Where North Dakota dental hygienists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $80,790 and $91,690, with a median of $83,010.
Dental Hygienists pay by experience level in North Dakota
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 North Dakota 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 coursesCompare Dental Hygienists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Dental Hygienists in North Dakota?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Dental Hygienists in North Dakota is $83,010.
- How does North Dakota compare to the national median for Dental Hygienists?
- The North Dakota median is -11.8% versus the BLS national figure of $94,162.
- What is the salary range for Dental Hygienists in North Dakota?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $75,180 and the 90th-percentile at $94,910, 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.