Dental Hygienist Salary in Jacksonville, NC: $86,450 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Jacksonville, NC earns a median $86,450/year (≈ $41.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.1), that paycheck buys what $93,881 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jacksonville, North Carolina, the dental hygiene profession presents a promising opportunity, with a workforce of approximately 120 dental hygienists currently employed in the area. The projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in the city is $86,450, which is notably lower than the national median of $102,946. Salary ranges are diverse, spanning from $81,591 at the 10th percentile to $98,927 at the 90th percentile, indicating a competitive landscape. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflect the market dynamics and potential growth for professionals in this field. Jacksonville's job market for dental hygienists offers opportunities amidst a future growth rate of 4.94%, suggesting a stable demand for these skilled practitioners.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,591 | $39.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,591 | $39.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $86,450 | $41.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,149 | $45.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,927 | $47.56 |
Median Salary Position
16.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, NC, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $17,336 (2026 est.). At $86,450, the local median is 16.02% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jacksonville Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $86,450/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $100,640 | -14.10% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -16.02% less |
Dental Hygienists in Jacksonville, NC earn a median of $86,450 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.02% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 14.10% below the North Carolina state average of $100,640.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville has a cost of living 7.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jacksonville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.085 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $86,450 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,881 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.6% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$73,740
2025 BLS Actual
$82,380
2026 Current Est.
$86,450
2020–2027 Growth
+23.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Jacksonville (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $73,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,270 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,380 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $86,450 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,720 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 11.7% from $73,740 (2020) to $82,380 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,720 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,980 (23.03%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $81,591 – $81,591 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,591 – $86,450 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $86,450 – $95,149 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,149 – $98,927 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Jacksonville
In terms of dental hygienist pay in Jacksonville, NC, the cost of living plays a crucial role in influencing take-home income. With an index of 92.085, the cost of living is below the national average, potentially enhancing the purchasing power of dental hygienists in the area. Private dental practices typically comprise about 95% of dental hygienist employment, but opportunities exist in various settings such as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen, where compensation structures may include production-based bonuses and sign-on incentives that can significantly impact earnings. Typically, employers that offer comprehensive benefits packages, such as those found in DSOs, tend to attract top talent and boost overall job satisfaction. To maximize earning potential, dental hygienists in Jacksonville should consider working within multi-doctor practices or DSOs, which often provide enhanced financial packages compared to solo practices where benefits may be limited.
More salary data for Jacksonville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $82,380 for dental hygienistsin the Jacksonville metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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