Dental Hygienist Pay

Duluth vs Shoreview: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Duluth, MN and Shoreview, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$103,471
$49.75/hr
Shoreview, MN
$99,887
$48.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNShoreview, MN
Median Salary$103,471$99,887
Hourly Rate$49.75$48.02
Entry Level (P10)$82,325$78,819
25th Percentile$86,649$83,891
75th Percentile$105,181$108,036
Top Earner (P90)$106,283$122,550
Total Employed2206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($103,471) and Shoreview ($99,887) dental hygienist salaries.DuluthShoreviewMedian Salary$103,471$99,887Entry Level (P10)$82,325$78,819Top Earner (P90)$106,283$122,550US Median $102,946

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Shoreview.

The salary gap between Duluth and Shoreview is $3,584 (3.59%). Duluth's median is +0.51% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $23,958,Shoreview spans $43,731. Shoreview has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$82,325
P25$86,649
Median$103,471
P75$105,181
P90 (Top)$106,283
Shoreview
P10 (Entry)$78,819
P25$83,891
Median$99,887
P75$108,036
P90 (Top)$122,550

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($116,563 effective) pays 14.94% more than Shoreview ($101,408 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $103,471
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $116,563
Shoreview
Nominal: $99,887
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $101,408

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,471/year)
  • Larger job market (220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $116,563)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Shoreview if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($122,550)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Duluth grew 49.9% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 31.5% growth in Shoreview over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+49.9%

$65,760 (2020) → $98,600 (2025)

Shoreview, MN

+31.5%

$72,405 (2020) → $95,185 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Duluth or Shoreview?

Duluth has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $103,471/year, compared to Shoreview at $99,887/year — a difference of $3,584 (3.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Shoreview?

Duluth dental hygienists earn $49.75/hr while Shoreview hygienists earn $48.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Shoreview as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Shoreview. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $116,563, Shoreview = $101,408), job availability (220 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Duluth vs Shoreview?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $82,325 in Duluth and $78,819 in Shoreview. The Duluth 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