Dental Hygienist Salary in Suffolk, VA: $103,541 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Suffolk, VA earns a median $103,541/year (≈ $49.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Suffolk's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $100,330 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Suffolk, Virginia, can anticipate a median annual salary of $103,541, placing local compensation slightly above the national median of $102,946. The salary range for this profession spans from $82,420 at the 10th percentile to $137,904 at the 90th percentile, indicating a varied earning potential based on experience, skill set, and practice environment. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, reflect the competitive nature of the dental field in Suffolk. As many as 15 dental hygienists are currently employed locally, which can help shape market dynamics and job opportunities in this region.
About the Suffolk Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($94,466) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $82,420 | $39.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,969 | $43.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,541 | $49.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $111,977 | $53.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,904 | $66.30 |
Median Salary Position
0.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Suffolk
In Suffolk, VA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,484 (2026 est.). At $103,541, the local median is 0.58% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Suffolk: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Suffolk Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Suffolk median: $103,541/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Suffolk Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $105,332 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +0.58% more |
Dental Hygienists in Suffolk, VA earn a median of $103,541 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.58% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 1.70% below the Virginia state average of $105,332.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Suffolk has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Suffolk, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,541 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $100,330 — a 3.1% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2020 BLS Actual
$76,140
2025 BLS Actual
$98,667
2026 Current Est.
$103,541
2020–2027 Growth
+42.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Suffolk (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $76,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,643 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,092 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,647 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,952 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,667 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,541 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,656 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Suffolk metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 29.6% from $76,140 (2020) to $98,667 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,656 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,516 (42.71%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Suffolk 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) | $82,420 – $89,969 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,969 – $103,541 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,541 – $111,977 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $111,977 – $137,904 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Suffolk
The local job market for dental hygienists in Suffolk reveals a nuanced landscape influenced by the cost of living, which is slightly higher at a 103.2 index. This means that while salaries are robust, the purchasing power of these earnings can be impacted by local housing and living expenses. Among various practice settings, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) are often at the forefront of offering higher pay, sometimes accompanied by sign-on bonuses, compared to solo dental practices that may lack comprehensive benefits such as health insurance. Factors contributing to salary variation include production-based bonuses, work schedules, and additional benefits offered by larger organizations versus private offices. To maximize earnings, dental hygienists in Suffolk should consider pursuing opportunities with DSOs or specialized practices, as well as remaining adaptable to schedule variations that can impact overall pay and work-life balance.
More salary data for Suffolk, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Suffolk, VA in 2026?
Is Suffolk, VA a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Suffolk?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Suffolk?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Suffolk?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $98,667 for dental hygienistsin the Suffolk 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 Suffolk 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