How Much Does a Dental Hygienist Make in North Dakota in 2026?
Typical pay for Dental Hygienists in North Dakota, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · North Dakota · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical Dental Hygienist in North Dakota earns about $43.53 per hour ($90,530 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $7,544 a month, or $1,741 a week, calculated from the annual figure. Pay varies by setting and city, but this figure reflects the typical wage for dental hygienists working statewide. It's a useful baseline for anyone comparing offers or job postings in North Dakota.
That figure sits 8% below the national typical pay of $98,100 a year, placing North Dakota 36th among the 50 states for dental hygienist pay. Lower pay in North Dakota tends to track the state's lower cost of living compared with higher-cost states. About 660 dental hygienists work across the state, a modest workforce that still supports competitive local pay. For context, the national dental hygienist workforce totals 222,740.
Dental Hygienist pay in North Dakota at a glance
- North Dakota dental hygienists typically earn $43.53 an hour ($90,530 a year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).
- That's 8% below the national figure of $98,100, ranking North Dakota 36th out of 50 states for dental hygienist pay.
- Bismarck pays the most among North Dakota's metro areas, with typical dental hygienist pay reaching $91,600 a year.
- Entry-level dental hygienists in North Dakota typically start around $82,890 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $98,530.
- North Dakota dental hygienist pay has climbed 43% over the past decade, rising from $63,350 in 2015 to $90,530 in 2025.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a Dental Hygienist make in North Dakota?
Dental Hygienist pay by career stage in North Dakota
| Career stage | North Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $82,890$39.85 an hour | $74,880$36.00 an hour |
| First years | $84,020$40.39 an hour | $83,570$40.18 an hour |
| Typical Dental Hygienist | $90,530$43.53 an hour | $98,100$47.16 an hour |
| Experienced | $96,170$46.24 an hour | $108,480$52.16 an hour |
| Top 10% | $98,530$47.37 an hour | $126,050$60.60 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
Dental Hygienist pay by experience level in North Dakota
Entry-level dental hygienist positions in North Dakota typically offer around $39.85 an hour, or about $82,890 a year. Pay climbs quickly from there, with many hygienists reaching close to $84,020 a year within their first few years on the job. From that point, pay tends to move toward the state's typical figure of $90,530 a year as experience builds. New hygienists in North Dakota can expect steady early gains rather than years of flat pay.
Experienced dental hygienists in North Dakota often earn upwards of $96,170 a year, and the top 10% make over $98,530, or about $47.37 an hour. That leaves a spread of $15,640 between entry-level and top pay. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a role in where a hygienist lands within that range.
Dental Hygienist pay growth in North Dakota
Typical (median) annual wage for Dental Hygienists in North Dakota · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
North Dakota dental hygienist pay rose from $63,350 in 2015 to $90,530 in 2025, a gain of $27,180 over the decade. That works out to a 43% increase in typical pay over ten years. The climb was not perfectly even, with pay dipping slightly in 2021 before resuming its upward path. Even with that pause, the overall direction across the decade was steadily higher.
North Dakota's 43% rise over the decade outpaced the national dental hygienist increase of 36% over the same period. Pay in the state has grown faster than the country as a whole, even though the typical wage still trails the national figure. For someone starting a dental hygiene career in North Dakota now, the trend shows pay has moved up consistently, though future gains are not guaranteed.
Dental Hygienist salary by city in North Dakota
Pay runs highest in Bismarck, where dental hygienists typically earn $91,600 a year ($44.04 an hour), about 1% above the state figure. Minot follows closely behind, with typical pay of $89,800 a year, or $43.18 an hour. These figures cover each city's full metro area, not just the city proper. Across North Dakota's three metro areas, pay stays within a fairly narrow band.
Fargo pays the least of the three, with typical dental hygienist pay of $84,390 a year ($40.57 an hour). That's a spread of $7,210 between the highest- and lowest-paying metro areas in the state. Fargo also has the largest dental hygienist workforce in North Dakota, with 240 workers, more than Bismarck and Minot combined. Fargo's somewhat lower pay likely reflects a lower cost of living relative to the state's other metro areas.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs North Dakota | Dental Hygienists employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismarck | $91,600 | $44.04 | +1% | 130 |
| 2 | Minot | $89,800 | $43.18 | -1% | 60 |
| 3 | Fargo | $84,390 | $40.57 | -7% | 240 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · North Dakota typical pay $90,530
How North Dakota compares with nearby states
North Dakota's dental hygienist pay trails all three of its neighbors. Minnesota pays the most nearby, with typical pay of $103,970 a year, about 15% higher than North Dakota. Montana follows at $98,440, roughly 9% higher, while South Dakota is closest at $92,210, just 2% above North Dakota's figure. Dental hygiene licensure can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which can make relocating for higher pay a realistic option.
| State | Typical pay | Vs North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $90,530 | baseline |
| Minnesota | $103,970 | +15% |
| Montana | $98,440 | +9% |
| South Dakota | $92,210 | +2% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical Dental Hygienist pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is North Dakota a good state for Dental Hygienists?
Dental Hygienist pay in North Dakota sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $90,530 a year, 8% below the national figure, ranking 36th of 50. For every 1,000 jobs in North Dakota, about 1.5 are Dental Hygienist positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.4. Dental Hygienist jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. On pay alone, North Dakota ranks below most states, though typical pay here has risen 43% over the past decade.
Summary
North Dakota dental hygienists earn a typical $90,530 a year today, up 43% over the past decade. Pay trails the national figure by 8% but has grown faster than the national trend over that time. Anyone considering the field should check the North Dakota Board of Dental Examiners for licensing requirements, and review the state's city-level pages for local pay figures before choosing where to work.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Dental Hygienist make in North Dakota?
- A typical Dental Hygienist in North Dakota earns $43.53 an hour, or about $90,530 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $7,544 a month. Pay is about 8% below the national figure of $98,100 a year.
- How much does a Dental Hygienist make an hour in North Dakota?
- Dental Hygienists in North Dakota typically earn $43.53 an hour, according to May 2025 wage data. Entry-level pay starts around $39.85 an hour, while the top 10% of earners make over $47.37 an hour. That's slightly below the national hourly figure of $47.16.
- What is the starting pay for a Dental Hygienist in North Dakota?
- Entry-level Dental Hygienists in North Dakota typically start around $39.85 an hour, or about $82,890 a year. Pay climbs quickly from there, with many reaching close to $84,020 a year within a few years, before moving toward the state's typical pay of $90,530 a year.
- Which city in North Dakota pays Dental Hygienists the most?
- Bismarck pays Dental Hygienists the most in North Dakota, with typical pay of $91,600 a year, or $44.04 an hour, about 1% above the state figure. Minot follows at $89,800 a year, while Fargo, home to the largest dental hygienist workforce, pays the least at $84,390 a year.
- Is Dental Hygienist pay in North Dakota higher than the national rate?
- No. Dental Hygienist pay in North Dakota is about 8% below the national typical pay of $98,100 a year, and the state ranks 36th out of 50 for this occupation. Pay has grown 43% over the past decade, faster than the national 36% increase over the same period.