Dental Hygienist Salary in Spearfish, SD: $91,602 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Spearfish, SD earns a median $91,602/year (≈ $44.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Spearfish's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $98,709 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $91,602 for dental hygienists in Spearfish, SD, professionals in this region find themselves earning less than their counterparts nationally, where the median reaches $102,946. The local salary range extends from $71,121 at the 10th percentile to $107,780 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse pay scale that underscores the competitiveness in the job market. These projections are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions and regional price parities. In Spearfish, dental hygienists earn a salary that falls approximately 11.02% below the national average, hinting at the unique market dynamics at play in this charming South Dakota city.
About the Spearfish Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($85,300) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,121 | $34.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,076 | $39.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,602 | $44.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,831 | $46.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,780 | $51.82 |
Median Salary Position
11.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spearfish
In Spearfish, SD, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,659 (2026 est.). At $91,602, the local median is 11.02% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Spearfish: You'd be above the median
How Spearfish Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Spearfish median: $91,602/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spearfish Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $95,518 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -11.02% less |
Dental Hygienists in Spearfish, SD earn a median of $91,602 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.02% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.10% below the South Dakota state average of $95,518.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spearfish 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.
Spearfish, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $91,602 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,709 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$72,162
2025 BLS Actual
$87,290
2026 Current Est.
$91,602
2020–2027 Growth
+33.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Spearfish (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $72,162 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,186 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,399 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,233 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,602 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,127 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spearfish metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 21.0% from $72,162 (2020) to $87,290 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,127 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,965 (33.21%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spearfish 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) | $71,121 – $83,076 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,076 – $91,602 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,602 – $96,831 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,831 – $107,780 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Spearfish
The local job market for dental hygienists in Spearfish employs about five professionals, which reveals limited opportunities but also suggests a potentially stable environment. With a cost-of-living index set at 92.8, residents benefit from a lower-than-average expense level, which can enhance the effective purchasing power of their salaries. Among the types of employers, those in multi-doctor group practices or Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often provide the highest pay—partly due to production-based bonuses and comprehensive benefits packages. The salary variation can also stem from factors like the number of workdays and retention bonuses tied to periodontal recall. Aspiring dental hygienists in Spearfish can maximize their earnings by considering positions within DSOs that may offer sign-on bonuses and retainment efforts aimed at new graduates, thus ensuring a more lucrative career path right from the start.
More salary data for Spearfish, 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 $87,290 for dental hygienistsin the Spearfish 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 Spearfish 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