Dental Hygienist Salary in Brookings, SD: $88,261 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Brookings, SD earns a median $88,261/year (≈ $42.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Brookings's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $95,109 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in Brookings, SD, is $88,261, which reflects a significant local earning potential, particularly when considering the area's cost of living index of 92.8. This translates into a lower-than-average living expense compared to national standards, enhancing the effective purchasing power of a dental hygienist's income in this region. The salary range for this occupation in Brookings extends from $73,190 at the 10th percentile to $105,973 at the 90th percentile, suggesting that talented professionals can command competitive salaries even in the lower thresholds. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate a favorable job market for dental hygienists, positioning Brookings as an attractive locale for this important dental profession.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($85,300) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,190 | $35.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,975 | $37.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,261 | $42.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,614 | $45.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,973 | $50.95 |
Median Salary Position
14.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookings
In Brookings, SD, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,783 (2026 est.). At $88,261, the local median is 14.26% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brookings Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Brookings median: $88,261/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $95,520 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -14.26% less |
Dental Hygienists in Brookings, SD earn a median of $88,261 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.26% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $95,520.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookings has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brookings, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $88,261 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,109 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$69,530
2025 BLS Actual
$84,106
2026 Current Est.
$88,261
2020–2027 Growth
+33.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Brookings (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $69,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,481 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,759 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,895 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,617 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,106 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,261 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,621 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookings metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 21.0% from $69,530 (2020) to $84,106 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,621 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,091 (33.21%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings 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) | $73,190 – $77,975 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,975 – $88,261 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,261 – $94,614 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,614 – $105,973 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Brookings
While there are only four dental hygienists currently employed in Brookings, this limited workforce highlights the potential for growth and demand in the field. The prevailing cost of living supports a more favorable pay scale, giving dental hygienists in the area an added advantage regarding their disposable income. Employers such as Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) typically lead the way in compensation packages, often offering sign-on bonuses as well as benefits that private practices may lack, such as health insurance. Variations in pay levels can also arise from factors like production-based bonuses related to periodontal care and flexible scheduling options, with many workers seeking four-day workweeks. Understanding these dynamics can assist dental hygienists in Brookings in maximizing their earnings potential, ultimately contributing to greater financial success within the local job market.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
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 $84,106 for dental hygienistsin the Brookings 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
Salary data for Brookings is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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