How Much Does a Dental Hygienist Make in Delaware in 2026?

A typical Dental Hygienist in Delaware earns about $47.55 per hour ($98,910 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $8,242 a month or $1,902 a week. These figures represent typical pay across the state, before accounting for setting, experience, or location.

That pay runs about 1% above the national figure of $47.16 an hour ($98,100 a year). Delaware ranks 18th out of 50 states for Dental Hygienist pay, placing it solidly in the middle of the pack nationally. About 750 Dental Hygienists work across the state, a workforce size that keeps these figures grounded in real local data rather than a handful of outliers.

Entry-level positions in Delaware typically offer around $44.99 an hour ($93,580 a year), according to the same wage data. New Dental Hygienists usually start near this figure and see pay climb toward the state typical of $98,910 within a few years of steady practice. Experience, credentials, and practice setting all factor into how quickly that happens.

Experienced Dental Hygienists in Delaware often earn upwards of $49.67 an hour ($103,310 a year), with the top 10% of earners making over $54.30 an hour ($112,940 a year). That leaves a spread of $19,360 between entry-level and top-tier pay. Practice setting, years on the job, and city all play a role in where an individual hygienist lands within that range.

Delaware Dental Hygienist pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. Typical pay moved from $75,140 in 2015 to $98,910 in 2025, a gain of $23,770, or 32%. The rise wasn't perfectly linear, with pay dipping slightly in 2016 and again in 2021, but the overall decade trend points firmly upward.

Nationally, Dental Hygienist pay rose 36% over the same ten years, a slightly faster pace than Delaware's climb. Even with a slower rise, Delaware's gain reflects real, sustained growth rather than a single strong year. Pay in the state has moved up substantially for anyone who has stayed in the field, though past gains are no guarantee of future increases.

Wilmington pays the most among Delaware's tracked cities. Dental Hygienists there typically earn $100,820 a year ($48.47 an hour), about 2% above the statewide figure of $98,910. Dover, the state's other tracked city, pays close behind, keeping overall pay fairly consistent across Delaware.

Dover's typical pay of $96,730 a year ($46.51 an hour) is the lowest among Delaware's tracked cities, leaving a spread of $4,090 between the two. Wilmington also carries the largest Dental Hygienist workforce in the state, with about 4,180 professionals working across its metro area, compared with about 130 in Dover. City figures reflect each metro area in full, and Wilmington's higher pay generally tracks a higher local cost of living.

Delaware's neighbors show a mixed picture. Maryland pays higher, with Dental Hygienists there typically earning $107,830 a year, about 9% above Delaware's figure. New Jersey runs close behind at $107,040, also above Delaware. Pennsylvania pays less, with typical pay of $80,610 a year, about 19% below Delaware's figure. Licensure often transfers or can be endorsed between neighboring states, which makes comparing nearby pay worthwhile before relocating.

Dental Hygienists in Delaware typically earn $98,910 a year, a figure that has climbed 32% over the past decade and now sits slightly above the national rate. Pay varies modestly by city and experience level, but the overall trend points upward. For specific requirements, check Delaware's dental hygiene licensing board; for local pay comparisons, see the Wilmington and Dover city pages.