Dental Hygienist Salary in Minnesota: $114,410 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $114,410/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $116,152 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Minneapolis ($112,630), St. Paul ($111,499), Bloomington ($110,634).
For dental hygienists considering a career in Minnesota, the projected average median salary for 2026 is $114,410, which is about 11.1% higher than the national median of $102,946. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with Minneapolis offering the highest average salary at $118,194, while Faribault has the lowest at $99,605, highlighting a gap of $18,589. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for dental services, and the presence of healthcare institutions in urban areas. Minnesota requires dental hygienists to have a state license, which mandates completing an accredited dental hygiene program and passing relevant exams. The state's supportive scope of practice laws allow hygienists to perform a range of procedures, which can enhance their earning potential. The demand for dental hygienists in Minnesota is also driven by the growing focus on preventive care and overall oral health. With a projected annual growth rate of 4.94%, the job market for dental hygienists in Minnesota appears promising. As of 2026, there are about 3,732 dental hygienists employed, indicating stable career opportunities across cities like St. Paul, Bloomington, Rochester, and Maple Grove, which show salaries ranging from $106,874 to $117,007.
Minnesota Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $75,410 (lowest entry-level) to $163,159 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota dental hygienists earn 11.14% more than the national median (+$11,464/year difference).
Minnesota Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Minnesota range from $88,416 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $126,095 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $114,410. The Minnesota median is $11,464 above the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $55.01/hr. Approximately 3,732 dental hygienists are employed across 44 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$76,334
2025 BLS Actual
$109,024
2026 Current Est.
$114,410
2020–2027 Growth
+57.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Minnesota (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $76,334 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,699 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,554 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,308 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,214 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,024 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,410 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $120,062 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 42.8% from $76,334 (2020) to $109,024 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $120,062 by 2027 — a total increase of $43,728 (57.29%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Cloud | $105,444 | 87.632 | $120,326 |
| Rochester | $108,550 | 90.821 | $119,521 |
| St. Paul | $117,007 | 98.5 | $118,789 |
| Bloomington | $116,099 | 98.5 | $117,867 |
| Duluth | $103,471 | 88.768 | $116,563 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $88,416 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $114,410 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $126,095 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $118,194 |
| 2 | St. Paul | $117,007 |
| 3 | Bloomington | $116,099 |
| 4 | Rochester | $108,550 |
| 5 | Maple Grove | $106,874 |
| 6 | Woodbury | $106,832 |
| 7 | Eden Prairie | $106,731 |
| 8 | St. Cloud | $105,444 |
| 9 | Mankato | $105,213 |
| 10 | Owatonna | $104,673 |
| 11 | Brooklyn Park | $104,535 |
| 12 | Plymouth | $104,351 |
| 13 | Roseville | $104,289 |
| 14 | Chaska | $104,208 |
| 15 | Minnetonka | $104,184 |
| 16 | Cottage Grove | $104,068 |
| 17 | Burnsville | $103,984 |
| 18 | Lakeville | $103,600 |
| 19 | Chanhassen | $103,529 |
| 20 | Duluth | $103,471 |
| 21 | Inver Grove Heights | $103,365 |
| 22 | Eagan | $103,349 |
| 23 | Brooklyn Center | $103,324 |
| 24 | Elk River | $103,307 |
| 25 | Prior Lake | $103,201 |
| 26 | Ramsey | $102,824 |
| 27 | Blaine | $102,389 |
| 28 | Apple Valley | $102,230 |
| 29 | Shakopee | $102,129 |
| 30 | Coon Rapids | $102,114 |
| 31 | Savage | $101,949 |
| 32 | Edina | $101,939 |
| 33 | Maplewood | $101,639 |
| 34 | Andover | $101,613 |
| 35 | Richfield | $101,564 |
| 36 | St. Louis Park | $101,557 |
| 37 | Moorhead | $101,409 |
| 38 | Northfield | $100,675 |
| 39 | Hastings | $100,461 |
| 40 | Fridley | $100,010 |
| 41 | Winona | $99,928 |
| 42 | Shoreview | $99,887 |
| 43 | Austin | $99,732 |
| 44 | Faribault | $99,605 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore dental hygienist hourly pay in Minnesota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Compare Cities in Minnesota
View all comparisons →Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Minnesota?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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