Dental Hygienist Pay

Dental Hygienist Salary in Brunswick, ME: $94,883 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Brunswick, ME earns a median $94,883/year (≈ $45.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Brunswick's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $95,264 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Maine state average.

$94,883
Median Annual Salary
$45.62/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$78,836
Entry Level (P10)
$117,177
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Dental Hygienist Salary in Brunswick, ME — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Brunswick, ME dental hygienist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Brunswick, Maine, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $94,883, a figure that falls below the national average of $102,946. This salary snapshot provides a cost-of-living adjusted perspective, with local estimates closely derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments. The expected salary range for dental hygienists in Brunswick runs from $78,836 at the 10th percentile to $117,177 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity in roles and responsibilities within the profession. While Brunswick offers solid compensation relative to some other regions in Maine, the reality of living expenses and purchasing power may influence job seekers as they evaluate career opportunities in this coastal town.

About the Brunswick Market

Salary estimated from Maine average ($88,832) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$78,836$37.90
Lower Range (P25)$84,013$40.39
Median (P50)(typical)$94,883$45.62
Upper Range (P75)$103,938$49.97
Top Earners (P90)$117,177$56.33

Median Salary Position

$78,836$117,177
City Median: $94,883
National: $102,946
P10–P90 Range

7.83% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brunswick

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dental hygienists in Brunswick. The median salary is $94,883, compared to the national median of $102,946.$71.0K$84.0K$97.0K$110.0K$123.0K$78.8K10th Pctl$84.0K25th Pctl$94.9KMedian$103.9K75th Pctl$117.2K90th PctlUS Median$102.9K

In Brunswick, ME, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,341 (2026 est.). At $94,883, the local median is 7.83% below the national median of $102,946.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of dental hygienist pay in the Brunswick metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,825
per week
$7,907
per month
$94,884
per year

At 40 hours/week in Brunswick: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Brunswick Dental Hygienist Pay Compares

Brunswick median: $94,883/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryBrunswick Pays
Maine Average$102,576-7.50% less
National Average$102,946-7.83% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental hygienist median salary in Brunswick ($94,883) with Maine average ($102,576) and the US national median ($102,946).Brunswick$94,883Maine Avg$102,576-7.50%US National$102,946-7.83%

Dental Hygienists in Brunswick, ME earn a median of $94,883 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.83% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 7.50% below the Maine state average of $102,576.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$94,883
Nominal Salary
99.6
CoL Index
$95,264
Adjusted Salary

Brunswick has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $94,883. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 99.6, the purchasing-power equivalent is $95,264, a gain of $381.$80.7K$90.1K$99.5K$109.0K$118.4K$94,883NominalSalary$95,264CoL Adjusted(CoL: 99.6) 0.40%US Median $102.9K

Brunswick, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $94,883 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,264 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.

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2020 BLS Actual

$64,942

2025 BLS Actual

$90,416

2026 Current Est.

$94,883

2020–2027 Growth

+53.3%

Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Brunswick (20202027)

2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for dental hygienists in Brunswick. Baseline $64,942 in 2025, projected to $99,570 by 2027.$58.0K$70.1K$82.3K$94.4K$106.5K202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$64.9K$71.1K$73.8K$75.0K$79.9K$90.4K$94.9K$99.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2020$64,942Actual
2021$71,058Actual
2022$73,804Actual
2023$74,988Actual
2024$79,892Actual
2025$90,416Actual
2026(current)$94,883Estimated
2027$99,570Projected

Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brunswick metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 39.2% from $64,942 (2020) to $90,416 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,570 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,628 (53.32%) from 2020.

Note: Historical values (20202025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brunswick metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$78,836$84,013
3-5 years (Mid Career)$84,013$94,883
5+ years (Experienced)$94,883$103,938
10+ years (Top Earner)$103,938$117,177

RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Dental Hygienist Job Market in Brunswick

As of 2026, only four dental hygienists are employed in the Brunswick area, indicating a niche job market that may limit competition yet requires flexibility regarding pay ranges. The local cost of living index stands at 99.6, which suggests that residents will find their income does not stretch as far as the national average, especially given the projected growth rate of 4.94% in dental hygienist positions. Employers offering the most competitive packages typically include Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen, which often provide full benefits, including health insurance, and may also incentivize new hires with sign-on bonuses. Conversely, many solo dental practices offer less in terms of benefits, which can widen the gap between lower and higher earnings. For those looking to maximize their dental hygienist pay in Brunswick, pursuing opportunities in DSOs, considering varied work schedules, and understanding the role of bonuses tied to productivity and patient retention may yield better financial results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dental hygienists make in Brunswick, ME in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median dental hygienist salary in Brunswick is $94,883/year ($45.62/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.94% annual growth). Salaries range from $78,836 at entry level (10th percentile) to $117,177 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Brunswick at 7.8% below the national median. Full-time dental hygienists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Brunswick, ME a good place to work as a dental hygienist?

Brunswick dental hygienist salaries are 7.8% below the national average and 7.5% below the Maine state average. The metro area employs approximately 4 dental hygienists. With a cost-of-living index of 99.6, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can dental hygienists make $100K in Brunswick?

Top-earning dental hygienists in Brunswick (90th percentile) make $117,177/year, which exceeds $100K. The median is $94,883. To reach six figures, dental hygienists typically need 5–10+ years of experience combined with specialty certifications and expanded-function credentials.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Brunswick?

After adjusting for Brunswick's cost-of-living index of 99.6 (where 100 equals the national average), the $94,883 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $95,264 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 0.4% further in Brunswick compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for dental hygienists seeking strong real wages.

How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Brunswick?

Dental Hygienists in Brunswick earn a median hourly rate of $45.62, which translates to approximately $94,883/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $37.90 for entry-level positions to $56.33 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem dental hygienists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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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

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 $90,416 for dental hygienistsin the Brunswick 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 Brunswick is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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