Dental Hygienist Salary in Bristol, RI: $97,942 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Bristol, RI earns a median $97,942/year (≈ $47.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $97,455 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bristol, RI, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $97,942. This figure reflects a competitive local wage compared to the broader state average in Rhode Island. The salary range for dental hygienists in the area spans from $76,923 at the 10th percentile to $121,824 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, incorporating local cost of living adjustments that affect salary perceptions. While the median pay provides a solid benchmark, the unique characteristics of Bristol's job market—such as the presence of only a handful of dental hygienists—can influence overall salary dynamics and employment opportunities.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($85,020) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,923 | $36.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,404 | $40.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,942 | $47.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,202 | $49.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,824 | $58.57 |
Median Salary Position
4.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, RI, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,901 (2026 est.). At $97,942, the local median is 4.86% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Bristol median: $97,942/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $103,423 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -4.86% less |
Dental Hygienists in Bristol, RI earn a median of $97,942 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.86% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $103,423.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $97,942 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,455 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$72,173
2025 BLS Actual
$93,331
2026 Current Est.
$97,942
2020–2027 Growth
+42.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Bristol (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $72,173 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,789 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,538 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,285 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,331 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,942 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,780 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 29.3% from $72,173 (2020) to $93,331 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,780 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,607 (42.41%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $76,923 – $83,404 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,404 – $97,942 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,942 – $102,202 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,202 – $121,824 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Bristol
The job market for dental hygienists in Bristol is relatively tight, with only five professionals currently employed in the field. With a cost-of-living index slightly above the national average at 100.5, take-home pay is crucial for maintaining a decent standard of living in the area. Among local employers, Dental Service Organizations like Heartland and Aspen are typically known for offering competitive pay and benefits compared to solo dental practices or small group offices. This salary spread can often be attributed to production-based bonuses linked to periodontal care or patient retention metrics, as well as varying work schedules that may favor shorter weeks for higher compensation. For aspiring dental hygienists looking to maximize their earning potential in Bristol, seeking positions with DSOs, being flexible with scheduling, and exploring opportunities for additional credentials can be effective strategies in tapping into the market's higher pay scales.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Bristol?
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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 $93,331 for dental hygienistsin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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