Dental Hygienist Salary in Georgia: $99,676 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Georgia's 40 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $99,676/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Georgia sits at BEA RPP 93.1 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $107,063 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sandy Springs ($102,333), Atlanta ($100,370), Roswell ($98,094).
In Georgia, the projected average median salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $99,676, which is about 3.2% lower than the national median of $102,946. The disparity in salaries across the state varies significantly, with Sandy Springs leading at $107,388 and Griffin at the bottom with $79,526, creating a salary gap of $27,862. This difference is often attributed to the cost of living, the concentration of healthcare facilities, and local demand for dental services. Georgia's dental hygienists must adhere to specific state licensing requirements, which include passing a national board exam and a state examination. The scope of practice laws in Georgia allow hygienists to perform a variety of procedures, contributing to their job responsibilities and job satisfaction. The demand for dental hygienists is expected to grow, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.94% based on recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Currently, approximately 6,630 dental hygienists are employed across 40 metro areas in Georgia, with top cities for employment projected to include Atlanta at $105,328, Roswell at $102,940, and Gainesville at $97,426. As the dental industry evolves and expands, opportunities for career advancement and increased earnings in this field appear promising.
Georgia Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Georgia: $42,994 (lowest entry-level) to $136,722 (highest top earner)
Georgia vs National Average
Georgia dental hygienists earn 3.18% less than the national median ($-3,270/year difference).
Georgia Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Georgia range from $79,865 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $114,334 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $99,676. The Georgia median is $3,270 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $47.93/hr. Approximately 6,630 dental hygienists are employed across 40 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$67,835
2025 BLS Actual
$94,984
2026 Current Est.
$99,676
2020–2027 Growth
+54.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Georgia (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $67,835 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,392 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,519 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,355 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,984 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,676 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,600 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Georgia metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 40.0% from $67,835 (2020) to $94,984 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,600 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,765 (54.20%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Georgia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Georgia
Lowest Paying Cities in Georgia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Griffin | $79,526 |
| Canton | $81,036 |
| Tucker | $81,228 |
| Peachtree City | $81,433 |
| Cartersville | $81,436 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Georgia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Georgia cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandy Springs | $107,388 | 93.1 | $115,347 |
| Roswell | $102,940 | 93.1 | $110,569 |
| Atlanta | $105,328 | 100.058 | $105,267 |
| Gainesville | $97,426 | 96.766 | $100,682 |
| Brunswick | $85,495 | 87.708 | $97,477 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Georgia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $79,865 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $99,676 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $114,334 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Georgia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 40 Cities in Georgia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sandy Springs | $107,388 |
| 2 | Atlanta | $105,328 |
| 3 | Roswell | $102,940 |
| 4 | Gainesville | $97,426 |
| 5 | Hinesville | $90,605 |
| 6 | Rome | $87,310 |
| 7 | Alpharetta | $86,362 |
| 8 | South Fulton | $86,263 |
| 9 | Dalton | $86,061 |
| 10 | Savannah | $85,877 |
| 11 | Athens | $85,872 |
| 12 | Brunswick | $85,495 |
| 13 | Brookhaven | $85,489 |
| 14 | Lawrenceville | $84,896 |
| 15 | Statesboro | $84,804 |
| 16 | Woodstock | $84,704 |
| 17 | Stockbridge | $84,578 |
| 18 | Pooler | $84,459 |
| 19 | Columbus | $84,204 |
| 20 | Marietta | $83,938 |
| 21 | Peachtree Corners | $83,928 |
| 22 | Augusta | $83,784 |
| 23 | Johns Creek | $83,567 |
| 24 | Valdosta | $83,280 |
| 25 | Macon | $83,175 |
| 26 | Albany | $83,144 |
| 27 | Evans | $82,927 |
| 28 | Douglasville | $82,847 |
| 29 | Dunwoody | $82,842 |
| 30 | Smyrna | $82,754 |
| 31 | Warner Robins | $82,661 |
| 32 | McDonough | $82,402 |
| 33 | Newnan | $82,270 |
| 34 | Milton | $82,236 |
| 35 | Kennesaw | $81,619 |
| 36 | Cartersville | $81,436 |
| 37 | Peachtree City | $81,433 |
| 38 | Tucker | $81,228 |
| 39 | Canton | $81,036 |
| 40 | Griffin | $79,526 |
More Georgia Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Compare Cities in Georgia
View all comparisons →Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Georgia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Georgia?
How does Georgia dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Georgia?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Georgia?
Which Georgia city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across Georgia. State averages are employment-weighted across 40 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov