Dental Hygienist Salary in Portsmouth, VA: $101,898 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Portsmouth, VA earns a median $101,898/year (≈ $48.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $98,738 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portsmouth, Virginia, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists stands at $101,898 for 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $102,946. The salary range for this occupation locally spans from $78,437 at the 10th percentile to $128,720 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026. This discrepancy provides insight into the compensation landscape in Portsmouth, particularly when considering the local cost of living index of 103.2, which indicates higher-than-average living expenses. With the continued projected growth rate of 4.94% for dental hygienist jobs in the area, there remains promising potential for salary advancements, especially as the job market evolves and demand for qualified professionals increases.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($94,466) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,437 | $37.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,614 | $41.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,898 | $48.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,039 | $53.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,720 | $61.88 |
Median Salary Position
1.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, VA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,283 (2026 est.). At $101,898, the local median is 1.02% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portsmouth Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $101,898/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $105,266 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -1.02% less |
Dental Hygienists in Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $101,898 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.02% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $105,266.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $101,898 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,738 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$74,932
2025 BLS Actual
$97,101
2026 Current Est.
$101,898
2020–2027 Growth
+42.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Portsmouth (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $74,932 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,332 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,741 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,288 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,271 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,101 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,898 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,932 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 29.6% from $74,932 (2020) to $97,101 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,932 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,000 (42.71%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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) | $78,437 – $86,614 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,614 – $101,898 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,898 – $112,039 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,039 – $128,720 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Portsmouth
The local job market for dental hygienists in Portsmouth consists of about 17 employed professionals, indicating a relatively modest yet stable workforce. The higher cost of living may impact take-home purchasing power, making it essential for dental hygienists to assess potential employers critically. Among the available options, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen tend to offer more competitive pay and benefits packages compared to solo practices, which may struggle to provide comprehensive health insurance. Factors that influence the salary range include production-based bonuses tied to recall and recare retention and factors like work schedule flexibility. For dental hygienists in Portsmouth, maximizing pay could involve exploring opportunities with DSOs, negotiating salaries, and aiming for practices with strong bonus structures or better benefits that optimize overall compensation in this market.
More salary data for Portsmouth, VA:
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 $97,101 for dental hygienistsin the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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