Dental Hygienist Pay

Augusta vs Brunswick: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Augusta, GA and Brunswick, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, GA
$83,784
$40.29/hr
Brunswick, GA
$85,495
$41.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GABrunswick, GA
Median Salary$83,784$85,495
Hourly Rate$40.29$41.10
Entry Level (P10)$66,249$76,081
25th Percentile$78,096$79,419
75th Percentile$95,852$98,308
Top Earner (P90)$99,525$98,308
Total Employed37090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($83,784) and Brunswick ($85,495) dental hygienist salaries.AugustaBrunswickMedian Salary$83,784$85,495Entry Level (P10)$66,249$76,081Top Earner (P90)$99,525$98,308US Median $102,946

Verdict

Augusta and Brunswick are closely matched on overall dental hygienist compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Augusta and Brunswick is $1,711 (2.04%). Brunswick's median is -16.95% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $33,276,Brunswick spans $22,227. Augusta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$66,249
P25$78,096
Median$83,784
P75$95,852
P90 (Top)$99,525
Brunswick
P10 (Entry)$76,081
P25$79,419
Median$85,495
P75$98,308
P90 (Top)$98,308

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Brunswick ($97,477 effective) pays 6.92% more than Augusta ($91,166 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $83,784
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $91,166
Brunswick
Nominal: $85,495
CoL Index: 87.708
Adjusted: $97,477

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($99,525)
  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Brunswick if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,495/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,477)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Augusta grew 34.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 29.0% growth in Brunswick over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+34.8%

$59,220 (2020) → $79,840 (2025)

Brunswick, GA

+29.0%

$63,170 (2020) → $81,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Augusta or Brunswick?

Brunswick has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $85,495/year, compared to Augusta at $83,784/year — a difference of $1,711 (2.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Brunswick?

Augusta dental hygienists earn $40.29/hr while Brunswick hygienists earn $41.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Brunswick as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Brunswick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $91,166, Brunswick = $97,477), job availability (370 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Augusta vs Brunswick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $66,249 in Augusta and $76,081 in Brunswick. The Brunswick area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov