Dental Hygienist Salary in Wadsworth, OH: $81,818 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Wadsworth, OH earns a median $81,818/year (≈ $39.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Wadsworth's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $90,207 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Wadsworth, Ohio, can expect a median annual salary of $81,818, which is notably lower than the national median of $102,946, reflecting the city’s cost of living dynamics and regional market conditions. Salaries for these professionals vary significantly, with compensation ranging from $67,201 at the 10th percentile to $97,916 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate that while Wadsworth offers competitive pay within Ohio, it falls short of the national average when considering the broader job market. However, this competition is crucial for attracting talent to the local community, particularly as demand for dental care continues to rise.
About the Wadsworth Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($86,075) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,201 | $32.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,072 | $34.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,818 | $39.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,245 | $42.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,916 | $47.08 |
Median Salary Position
20.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wadsworth
In Wadsworth, OH, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,715 (2026 est.). At $81,818, the local median is 20.52% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wadsworth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wadsworth Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Wadsworth median: $81,818/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wadsworth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $88,739 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -20.52% less |
Dental Hygienists in Wadsworth, OH earn a median of $81,818 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.52% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 7.80% below the Ohio state average of $88,739.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wadsworth has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wadsworth, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $81,818 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,207 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$63,985
2025 BLS Actual
$77,966
2026 Current Est.
$81,818
2020–2027 Growth
+34.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Wadsworth (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $63,985 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,089 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,273 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,746 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,304 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,966 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,818 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,859 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wadsworth metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 21.9% from $63,985 (2020) to $77,966 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,859 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,874 (34.19%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wadsworth 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) | $67,201 – $72,072 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,072 – $81,818 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,818 – $89,245 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,245 – $97,916 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Wadsworth
While there are only six dental hygienists currently employed in Wadsworth, it's essential to recognize how local market conditions can affect earnings. The cost-of-living index of 90.7 suggests that despite salaries being lower than the national average, purchasing power remains reasonable for residents. Within Wadsworth, the most lucrative positions can often be found in multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), which increasingly offer benefits such as sign-on bonuses and comprehensive health insurance. Variations in pay also arise from differences in work schedules, with four-day setups often more lucrative than traditional five-day routines, due to production-based bonuses tied to factors like perio recall and recare retention. For those looking to maximize their dental hygienist pay in Wadsworth, seeking out positions in larger DSOs or negotiating benefits could prove beneficial in navigating this competitive yet rewarding job market.
More salary data for Wadsworth, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $77,966 for dental hygienistsin the Wadsworth 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 Wadsworth 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