Dental Hygienist Salary in Virginia: $105,579 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $105,579/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $102,305 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($118,164), Charlottesville ($107,690), Richmond ($104,250).
In 2026, dental hygienists in Virginia can expect an average median salary of $105,579, which exceeds the national median of $102,946 by 2.6%. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with Alexandria at the top earning $124,001 and Bristol at the bottom with $88,964. This gap of $35,037 is influenced by factors such as local cost of living, demand for dental services, and the concentration of dental practices in urban versus rural areas. Virginia has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence both entry and advancement within the profession. The demand for dental hygienists is expected to grow, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.94%, indicating a strong job market for the profession through at least 2026. Key cities projected for higher salaries include Charlottesville at $113,010, Richmond at $109,400, Newport News at $106,127, and Winchester at $105,612. These projections reflect a favorable outlook for dental hygienists in Virginia, supported by ongoing advances in dental health awareness and the increasing importance of preventive care. With approximately 2,920 dental hygienists currently employed statewide, opportunities seem plentiful, especially in metropolitan areas where the demand is heightened.
Virginia Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $67,141 (lowest entry-level) to $163,439 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia dental hygienists earn 2.56% more than the national median (+$2,633/year difference).
Virginia Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Virginia range from $92,628 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $122,972 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $105,579. The Virginia median is $2,633 above the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $50.76/hr. Approximately 2,920 dental hygienists are employed across 42 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$77,360
2025 BLS Actual
$100,609
2026 Current Est.
$105,579
2020–2027 Growth
+43.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Virginia (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $77,360 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,951 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,457 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,015 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,203 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,609 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $105,579 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,794 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 30.1% from $77,360 (2020) to $100,609 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,794 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,434 (43.22%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Bristol | $88,964 |
| Blacksburg | $95,023 |
| Radford | $96,684 |
| Falls Church | $97,100 |
| Herndon | $98,645 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $124,001 | 103.2 | $120,156 |
| Staunton | $105,307 | 91.128 | $115,559 |
| Charlottesville | $113,010 | 99.146 | $113,983 |
| Lynchburg | $101,781 | 89.363 | $113,896 |
| Richmond | $109,400 | 97.858 | $111,795 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $92,628 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $105,579 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $122,972 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $124,001 |
| 2 | Charlottesville | $113,010 |
| 3 | Richmond | $109,400 |
| 4 | Newport News | $106,127 |
| 5 | Winchester | $105,612 |
| 6 | Harrisonburg | $105,591 |
| 7 | Norfolk | $105,323 |
| 8 | Staunton | $105,307 |
| 9 | Hampton | $105,191 |
| 10 | Centreville | $104,701 |
| 11 | Chesapeake | $104,178 |
| 12 | Burke | $103,991 |
| 13 | Virginia Beach | $103,775 |
| 14 | Suffolk | $103,541 |
| 15 | Roanoke | $103,418 |
| 16 | Tuckahoe | $103,247 |
| 17 | Ashburn | $103,099 |
| 18 | McLean | $103,092 |
| 19 | Reston | $102,982 |
| 20 | Danville | $102,961 |
| 21 | Fredericksburg | $102,520 |
| 22 | Dale City | $102,499 |
| 23 | Manassas | $102,389 |
| 24 | Salem | $102,103 |
| 25 | Leesburg | $101,957 |
| 26 | Portsmouth | $101,898 |
| 27 | Lynchburg | $101,781 |
| 28 | Mechanicsville | $101,735 |
| 29 | Springfield | $101,376 |
| 30 | Woodbridge | $101,237 |
| 31 | Sterling | $101,040 |
| 32 | Lake Ridge | $100,910 |
| 33 | Linton Hall | $100,796 |
| 34 | Fairfax | $100,537 |
| 35 | Waynesboro | $100,046 |
| 36 | Annandale | $99,913 |
| 37 | Williamsburg | $99,721 |
| 38 | Herndon | $98,645 |
| 39 | Falls Church | $97,100 |
| 40 | Radford | $96,684 |
| 41 | Blacksburg | $95,023 |
| 42 | Bristol | $88,964 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore dental hygienist hourly pay in Virginia cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Virginia?
How does Virginia dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Virginia?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia 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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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