What the numbers say
Dental Hygienists in Ohio earned a median annual wage of $81,620 in 2024, about 13% below the US median of $94,162. That gap is real, but Ohio's cost of living runs roughly 9% below the national average. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the difference narrows to something closer to 4%. For most hygienists in the state, that is a smaller penalty than the headline number suggests.
The spread from bottom to top is tighter here than in many clinical occupations. The 10th percentile sits at $71,520 and the 90th at $99,490, a range of about $28,000. In practical terms, an experienced hygienist in Ohio earns roughly 39% more than someone just starting out. That is a modest range, which suggests pay in this occupation does not vary as sharply by seniority or specialty as it does in some other health roles.
BLS projects employment for Dental Hygienists to grow 7% between 2024 and 2034, a rate BLS classifies as faster than average. Ohio has around 8,500 hygienists currently employed, one of the larger state totals in the Midwest.
The mean wage of $84,160 comes in above the median, meaning a smaller share of higher-paid hygienists pull the average up. The gap between median and mean is only about $2,500, so the pull is not dramatic. Pay here clusters fairly tightly around the middle.
Salary distribution
Where Ohio dental hygienists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $78,330 and $92,010, with a median of $81,620.
Dental Hygienists pay by experience level in Ohio
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 Ohio 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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Explore coursesTop metros in Ohio
Metro-level salary data for dental hygienists in major Ohio metropolitan areas.
- Cincinnati$97,050
- Columbus$88,870
- Cleveland$80,830
Compare Dental Hygienists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Dental Hygienists in Ohio?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Dental Hygienists in Ohio is $81,620.
- How does Ohio compare to the national median for Dental Hygienists?
- The Ohio median is -13.3% versus the BLS national figure of $94,162.
- What is the salary range for Dental Hygienists in Ohio?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $71,520 and the 90th-percentile at $99,490, 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.