Dental Hygienist Pay

Mobile vs Montgomery: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Mobile, AL and Montgomery, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mobile, AL
$63,709
$30.63/hr
Montgomery, AL
$63,090
$30.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMobile, ALMontgomery, AL
Median Salary$63,709$63,090
Hourly Rate$30.63$30.34
Entry Level (P10)$50,738$50,718
25th Percentile$61,862$61,694
75th Percentile$64,307$64,727
Top Earner (P90)$74,423$67,854
Total Employed200190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mobile ($63,709) and Montgomery ($63,090) dental hygienist salaries.MobileMontgomeryMedian Salary$63,709$63,090Entry Level (P10)$50,738$50,718Top Earner (P90)$74,423$67,854US Median $102,946

Verdict

Mobile, AL offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Montgomery.

The salary gap between Mobile and Montgomery is $619 (0.98%). Mobile's median is -38.11% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mobile spans $23,685,Montgomery spans $17,136. Mobile has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Mobile
P10 (Entry)$50,738
P25$61,862
Median$63,709
P75$64,307
P90 (Top)$74,423
Montgomery
P10 (Entry)$50,718
P25$61,694
Median$63,090
P75$64,727
P90 (Top)$67,854

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mobile ($72,316 effective) pays 2.80% more than Montgomery ($70,349 effective).

Mobile
Nominal: $63,709
CoL Index: 88.098
Adjusted: $72,316
Montgomery
Nominal: $63,090
CoL Index: 89.682
Adjusted: $70,349

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mobile if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,709/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($74,423)
  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,316)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Montgomery if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Mobile grew 22.3% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 24.7% growth in Montgomery over the same period.

Mobile, AL

+22.3%

$49,620 (2020) → $60,710 (2025)

Montgomery, AL

+24.7%

$48,200 (2020) → $60,120 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Mobile or Montgomery?

Mobile has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $63,709/year, compared to Montgomery at $63,090/year — a difference of $619 (0.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mobile and Montgomery?

Mobile dental hygienists earn $30.63/hr while Montgomery hygienists earn $30.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mobile to Montgomery as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mobile and Montgomery. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mobile = $72,316, Montgomery = $70,349), job availability (200 vs 190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Mobile vs Montgomery?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $50,738 in Mobile and $50,718 in Montgomery. The Mobile area offers higher starting salaries.
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