Dental Hygienist Pay

North Miami vs Orlando: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between North Miami, FL and Orlando, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Miami, FL
$95,516
$45.92/hr
Orlando, FL
$97,132
$46.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Miami, FLOrlando, FL
Median Salary$95,516$97,132
Hourly Rate$45.92$46.70
Entry Level (P10)$69,600$78,579
25th Percentile$83,905$81,612
75th Percentile$104,060$99,042
Top Earner (P90)$119,422$100,081
Total Employed111,490
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Miami ($95,516) and Orlando ($97,132) dental hygienist salaries.North MiamiOrlandoMedian Salary$95,516$97,132Entry Level (P10)$69,600$78,579Top Earner (P90)$119,422$100,081US Median $102,946

Verdict

Orlando, FL offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to North Miami.

The salary gap between North Miami and Orlando is $1,616 (1.69%). Orlando's median is -5.65% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Miami spans $49,822,Orlando spans $21,502. North Miami has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

North Miami
P10 (Entry)$69,600
P25$83,905
Median$95,516
P75$104,060
P90 (Top)$119,422
Orlando
P10 (Entry)$78,579
P25$81,612
Median$97,132
P75$99,042
P90 (Top)$100,081

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orlando ($95,774 effective) pays 1.07% more than North Miami ($94,758 effective).

North Miami
Nominal: $95,516
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $94,758
Orlando
Nominal: $97,132
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $95,774

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Miami if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($119,422)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Orlando if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,132/year)
  • Larger job market (1,490 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $95,774)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in North Miami grew 30.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 28.9% growth in Orlando over the same period.

North Miami, FL

+30.8%

$69,563 (2020) → $91,020 (2025)

Orlando, FL

+28.9%

$71,820 (2020) → $92,560 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: North Miami or Orlando?

Orlando has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $97,132/year, compared to North Miami at $95,516/year — a difference of $1,616 (1.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Miami and Orlando?

North Miami dental hygienists earn $45.92/hr while Orlando hygienists earn $46.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from North Miami to Orlando as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Miami and Orlando. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Miami = $94,758, Orlando = $95,774), job availability (11 vs 1,490 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in North Miami vs Orlando?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $69,600 in North Miami and $78,579 in Orlando. The Orlando area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH

Dental Career Analyst

Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov