Dental Hygienist Salary in Ellensburg, WA: $123,082 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Ellensburg, WA earns a median $123,082/year (≈ $59.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Ellensburg's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $114,601 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $123,082 for 2026, dental hygienist pay in Ellensburg, WA reflects a favorable trend against national averages. This local estimate, based on 2025 BLS data, positions the dental hygienist salary well above the national median of $102,946, offering professionals in the area a 19.56% higher income potential. The salary range for dental hygienists in the region spans from $98,295 at the 10th percentile to $147,837 at the 90th percentile, further highlighting substantial earning opportunities. Given the relatively small employment landscape with only six dental hygienists currently working in Ellensburg, the demand for skilled professionals in this sector appears robust, suggesting a healthy job market for those entering the field.
About the Ellensburg Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($123,942) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,295 | $47.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,996 | $50.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,082 | $59.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,977 | $63.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $147,837 | $71.08 |
Median Salary Position
19.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ellensburg
In Ellensburg, WA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,542 (2026 est.). At $123,082, the local median is 19.56% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ellensburg: You'd be above the median
How Ellensburg Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Ellensburg median: $123,082/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ellensburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $129,017 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +19.56% more |
Dental Hygienists in Ellensburg, WA earn a median of $123,082 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.56% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 4.60% below the Washington state average of $129,017.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ellensburg has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ellensburg, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $123,082 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $114,601 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$93,826
2025 BLS Actual
$117,288
2026 Current Est.
$123,082
2020–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Ellensburg (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $93,826 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $111,277 | Actual |
| 2023 | $118,009 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,602 | Actual |
| 2025 | $117,288 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,082 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,162 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ellensburg metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 25.0% from $93,826 (2020) to $117,288 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,162 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,336 (37.66%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ellensburg 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) | $98,295 – $105,996 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,996 – $123,082 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,082 – $131,977 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,977 – $147,837 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Ellensburg
When considering the local job market dynamics, the cost of living index in Ellensburg stands at 107.4, slightly above the national average, indicating that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power may be impacted. Typically, dental hygienists working in multi-doctor group practices or Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) can expect higher pay scales due to structures that often include production-based bonuses and comprehensive benefits. The variation in salaries can be linked to factors such as practice type, employee benefits, and flexible work arrangements, where 4-day work weeks may appeal to some professionals. To maximize earnings, seeking positions in DSOs that offer sign-on bonuses and focusing on continuing education may provide a competitive edge. Overall, the landscape for dental hygienist salaries in Ellensburg is positioned for growth, driven by both the local demand for dental services and the evolving compensation structures within the industry.
More salary data for Ellensburg, WA:
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 $117,288 for dental hygienistsin the Ellensburg 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 Ellensburg 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