Dental Hygienist Salary in Payson, UT: $84,095 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Payson, UT earns a median $84,095/year (≈ $40.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Payson's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $85,724 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% below the Utah state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Payson, Utah, offers a projected median annual dental hygienist salary of $84,095 for 2026, which is significantly lower than the national average of $102,946. This reflects the broader market dynamics in Utah, where dental hygienist pay tends to align closer to local standards rather than national norms. The salary range for this profession in the city extends from $64,903 at the 10th percentile to $98,517 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the disparities in compensation that can arise from factors such as experience, education, and workplace setting. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, suggest that while Payson provides a stable opportunity, it may not fully compete with larger markets offering higher salaries, thereby influencing the career choices of dental hygienists in the area.
About the Payson Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($83,499) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,903 | $31.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $75,984 | $36.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,095 | $40.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,629 | $42.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,517 | $47.36 |
Median Salary Position
18.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Payson
In Payson, UT, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,614 (2026 est.). At $84,095, the local median is 18.31% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Payson: You'd be above the median
How Payson Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Payson median: $84,095/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Payson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $89,558 | -6.10% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -18.31% less |
Dental Hygienists in Payson, UT earn a median of $84,095 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.31% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 6.10% below the Utah state average of $89,558.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Payson has a cost of living 1.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Payson, UT has a cost-of-living index of 98.1 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $84,095 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,724 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.94% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$67,501
2025 BLS Actual
$80,136
2026 Current Est.
$84,095
2020–2027 Growth
+30.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Payson (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $67,501 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,407 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,781 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,376 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,136 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,095 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,249 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Payson metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 18.7% from $67,501 (2020) to $80,136 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,249 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,748 (30.74%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Payson 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) | $64,903 – $75,984 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $75,984 – $84,095 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,095 – $88,629 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,629 – $98,517 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Payson
In Payson, the job market for dental hygienists consists of just six employed professionals, indicating a niche environment where competition can be limited. The cost-of-living index in the area is at 98.1, suggesting that day-to-day expenses are slightly below the national average, thereby affecting take-home purchasing power for dental hygienists. Employment settings, such as multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland or Aspen, may offer more competitive pay compared to solo practices, which often lack benefits. Additionally, factors like production-based bonuses and the number of days worked each week play a significant role in the variability of wages. To maximize compensation, dental hygienists in Payson should consider negotiating for better benefits, exploring employment opportunities within DSOs for enhanced job security, and potentially seeking continued education to elevate their professional standing and pay prospects.
More salary data for Payson, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $80,136 for dental hygienistsin the Payson 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 Payson 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