What the numbers say
Dental Hygienists in Rhode Island earned a median of $82,870 in 2024, about 12% below the US median of $94,162. For a state with a cost of living near the national average, that gap is notable. The money does not go further here than in most other states, so the nominal shortfall is close to the real one.
The wage distribution in Rhode Island is unusually compressed. The 10th percentile sits at $81,680 and the 90th at $86,380, a spread of under $5,000. Nationally, that range runs tens of thousands of dollars. What this tells us is that experience, specialization, and employer type move wages very little within the state. A hygienist just starting out earns nearly what a senior peer does.
BLS projects employment for Dental Hygienists to grow 7% from 2024 to 2034, which it classifies as faster than average. Rhode Island's small workforce of roughly 850 hygienists means even modest job additions can shift local conditions quickly. Whether that growth translates into upward wage pressure is not something the current data can answer.
The combination of below-national pay and a flat wage curve is the story here. Rhode Island is not a state where hygienists can expect earnings to rise substantially with tenure, at least not based on what the 2024 figures show.
Salary distribution
Where Rhode Island dental hygienists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $81,770 and $85,560, with a median of $82,870.
Dental Hygienists pay by experience level in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island metropolitan areas.
- Providence$85,020
Compare Dental Hygienists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Dental Hygienists in Rhode Island?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Dental Hygienists in Rhode Island is $82,870.
- How does Rhode Island compare to the national median for Dental Hygienists?
- The Rhode Island median is -12.0% versus the BLS national figure of $94,162.
- What is the salary range for Dental Hygienists in Rhode Island?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $81,680 and the 90th-percentile at $86,380, 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.