Dental Hygienist Salary in Aurora, CO: $116,758 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Aurora, CO earns a median $116,758/year (≈ $56.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Aurora's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $111,198 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aurora, Colorado, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $116,758, which is notably higher than the national median salary of $102,946. With a salary range extending from $85,824 at the 10th percentile to $155,417 at the 90th percentile, Aurora presents a beneficial financial landscape for dental hygienists. These estimates derive from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, reflecting the strong demand for dental hygiene professionals in the area. As Aurora becomes increasingly influenced by the growth of dental service organizations (DSOs) and evolving healthcare practices, it offers heightened career opportunities for qualified dental hygienists.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($107,733) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $85,824 | $41.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,941 | $46.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,758 | $56.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,595 | $63.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,417 | $74.72 |
Median Salary Position
13.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aurora
In Aurora, CO, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,593 (2026 est.). At $116,758, the local median is 13.42% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aurora: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aurora Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Aurora median: $116,758/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aurora Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $115,488 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | +13.42% more |
Dental Hygienists in Aurora, CO earn a median of $116,758 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.42% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 1.10% above the Colorado state average of $115,488.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aurora has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aurora, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $116,758 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $111,198 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$91,244
2025 BLS Actual
$111,262
2026 Current Est.
$116,758
2020–2027 Growth
+34.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Aurora (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $91,244 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,917 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,477 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,508 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,460 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,262 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,758 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,526 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aurora metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 21.9% from $91,244 (2020) to $111,262 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,526 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,282 (34.28%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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) | $85,824 – $96,941 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,941 – $116,758 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,758 – $131,595 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,595 – $155,417 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Aurora
Fifty-four dental hygienists currently work in Aurora, indicating a stable job market. However, the cost-of-living index of 105 suggests that while salaries may appear attractive, real purchasing power is slightly above the national average. Among the various employment settings, DSOs often offer the highest pay packages, which can include production-based bonuses and comprehensive benefits, thus influencing the pay scale significantly. The disparity between lower and higher salaries often stems from factors such as practice types, patient retention incentives, and work schedules. To maximize pay, dental hygienists should consider opportunities in DSOs that tend to offer lucrative signing bonuses, benefits packages, and the potential for flexible scheduling while also engaging in continuous education and maintaining relevant certifications.
More salary data for Aurora, CO:
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 $111,262 for dental hygienistsin the Aurora 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 Aurora 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