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

A typical Dental Hygienist in Florida earns about $44.22 per hour, which comes to $91,980 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Based on that annual figure, pay works out to roughly $7,665 a month. On a weekly basis, that comes to about $1,769. Those figures describe typical pay across the state, before accounting for city or setting.

That is 6% below the national typical pay of $98,100 for Dental Hygienists, and it places Florida 34th out of 50 states. Lower pay in Florida tends to track its lower cost of living in many areas compared with higher-cost states. With 11,980 Dental Hygienists working in the state, Florida has a sizable workforce in the field despite the below-national figure.

Entry-level positions in Florida typically offer around $75,960 a year ($36.52 an hour) for Dental Hygienists just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the typical figure of $91,980 within the first several years on the job. New hires in dental offices or clinics often start at this level before gaining experience. Within a few years, many reach pay closer to the statewide typical figure.

Experienced Dental Hygienists in Florida often earn upwards of $96,060 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $99,040 annually ($47.61 an hour). That is a spread of $23,080 between entry-level and top pay. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a part in where an individual hygienist lands within that range.

Florida's typical pay for Dental Hygienists rose from $65,280 in 2015 to $91,980 in 2025, a gain of $26,700. That marks a 41% increase over the decade. Pay climbed steadily through the period, with the sharpest jump between 2020 and 2021. By 2025, typical pay had grown well beyond where it stood ten years earlier.

Nationally, typical pay for Dental Hygienists rose 36% over the same ten years, so Florida's increase outpaced the national trend. Pay has moved up steadily for Dental Hygienists in Florida over the past decade. That does not guarantee future increases, but it shows a field where pay has kept climbing.

Pay runs highest in the Naples metro area, where Dental Hygienists typically earn $100,140 a year, about 9% above the statewide figure. Marco Island shares that same figure, since the two share a metro area. Bradenton, Sarasota, and North Port follow close behind at $95,930 a year, and Tampa, Clearwater, and St. Petersburg pay a similar $95,870.

At the other end, the Daytona Beach area pays the least, with typical pay of $79,050 a year, a spread of $21,090 between the highest- and lowest-paying areas. West Palm Beach holds the largest Dental Hygienist workforce in the state at 3,460 workers, with typical pay of $82,780. City figures cover each area's full metro region. Higher pay in some Florida cities often lines up with a higher cost of living.

Compared with neighboring states, Georgia pays Dental Hygienists more, with typical pay of $95,490 a year, about 4% above Florida's figure. Alabama pays considerably less, with typical pay of $61,160, about 34% below Florida. Someone weighing a move nearby would find better pay just across the Georgia line and notably lower pay in Alabama. Licensure often transfers or can be endorsed between neighboring states, though requirements vary.

A typical Dental Hygienist in Florida earns $91,980 a year, up 41% over the past decade from $65,280 in 2015. Pay varies by city and experience, running highest in Naples and lowest near Daytona Beach. Anyone pursuing licensure should check Florida's dental hygiene licensing board for current requirements, and check city pages for local pay figures.