What the numbers say
Virginia's median wage for Dental Hygienists was $98,880 in 2024, about 5% above the national median of $94,162. That is a real but modest premium. It holds up, though not by much, once you factor in that Virginia's cost of living runs roughly 2% above the national baseline.
The spread between bottom and top earners is tighter here than in many clinical occupations. At the 10th percentile, hygienists earned $79,980. At the 90th, they earned $121,950. That $42,000 range suggests the role stays fairly consistent across settings. Experience and specialization matter, but they do not create the dramatic splits you see in, say, physician or tech occupations.
The mean wage of $98,500 sits just below the median of $98,880. That is worth noting. In most professional occupations, a small group of high earners pulls the average above the median. Here the two are nearly identical, which points to a compressed distribution with few outliers in either direction.
BLS projects employment for Dental Hygienists to grow 7% between 2024 and 2034, a pace BLS classifies as faster than average. Virginia's concentration of dental practices in the Northern Virginia corridor and Richmond metro areas gives the state a reasonable base for absorbing that growth, though the data does not let us separate those metro labor markets from the statewide figure.
Salary distribution
Where Virginia dental hygienists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $90,160 and $108,270, with a median of $98,880.
Dental Hygienists pay by experience level in Virginia
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 Virginia 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 Virginia
Metro-level salary data for dental hygienists in major Virginia metropolitan areas.
- Richmond$98,020
- Virginia Beach$95,100
Compare Dental Hygienists pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Dental Hygienists in Virginia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Dental Hygienists in Virginia is $98,880.
- How does Virginia compare to the national median for Dental Hygienists?
- The Virginia median is +5.0% versus the BLS national figure of $94,162.
- What is the salary range for Dental Hygienists in Virginia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $79,980 and the 90th-percentile at $121,950, 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.