Dental Hygienist Salary in Auburn, ME: $96,356 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Auburn, ME earns a median $96,356/year (≈ $46.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $96,743 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Auburn, Maine, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is set at $96,356, presenting an interesting comparison against the national median of $102,946. The salary range for local dental hygienists spans from $74,366 at the 10th percentile to $112,707 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varied earning potential within the profession. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost of living conditions, which, with a cost-of-living index of 99.6, indicates a slightly lower purchasing power than the national average. For those working in Auburn, understanding these salary dynamics is essential, especially as demand for dental hygienists grows, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.94% expected over the next five years, highlighting an optimistic job market.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($88,832) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,366 | $35.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,139 | $41.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,356 | $46.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,660 | $48.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,707 | $54.19 |
Median Salary Position
6.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, ME, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,341 (2026 est.). At $96,356, the local median is 6.4% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be above the median
How Auburn Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Auburn median: $96,356/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $102,506 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -6.40% less |
Dental Hygienists in Auburn, ME earn a median of $96,356 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.40% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 6.00% below the Maine state average of $102,506.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn 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.
Auburn, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $96,356 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,743 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$65,950
2025 BLS Actual
$91,820
2026 Current Est.
$96,356
2020–2027 Growth
+53.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Auburn (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $65,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,161 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,950 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,152 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,402 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,356 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,116 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 39.2% from $65,950 (2020) to $91,820 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,116 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,166 (53.32%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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) | $74,366 – $87,139 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,139 – $96,356 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,356 – $101,660 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,660 – $112,707 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Auburn
Analyzing the job market, only six dental hygienists are currently employed in Auburn, ME, suggesting a highly localized work environment. The modest cost of living means that while salaries are lower on a national scale, they can still provide reasonable compensation relative to local expenses. Employers that tend to offer higher wages include Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen, which often provide benefits and bonuses that independent practices may lack. The gap between lower and higher salaries in Auburn can be attributed to various factors, including production-based bonuses for periodontal care and variations in weekly work schedules. To maximize dental hygienist pay in Auburn, aspiring professionals might consider aligning with larger groups or DSOs that offer sign-on bonuses for recent graduates while negotiating work hours to increase overall earnings.
More salary data for Auburn, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Auburn, ME in 2026?
Is Auburn, ME a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Auburn?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Auburn?
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Related Pages
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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 $91,820 for dental hygienistsin the Auburn 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 Auburn 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