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

A typical Dental Hygienist in Virginia earns about $49.50 per hour, or $102,950 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $8,579 a month and $1,980 a week, figures calculated from the annual number. Full-time hygienists across the state see pay in this range, with some variation by city and setting.

Virginia pay runs about 5% above the national figure of $98,100 a year, according to the same May 2025 data. That puts the state 12th among all 50 states for Dental Hygienist pay. About 3,770 Dental Hygienists work across Virginia, giving a solid base of comparison for local pay figures.

Entry-level Dental Hygienists in Virginia typically start around $41.70 an hour, or about $86,730 a year, according to the same wage data. Pay tends to move toward the typical figure of $102,950 a year within the first few years on the job. New graduates often start in this range before building the experience that lifts pay closer to the state's typical level.

Experienced Dental Hygienists in Virginia often earn upwards of $60.37 an hour, and the top 10% make over $125,560 a year. That leaves a spread of $38,830 between entry-level and top-tier pay. The gap usually comes down to years of experience, the type of practice, and which city a hygienist works in.

Virginia's typical pay for Dental Hygienists climbed from $80,770 in 2015 to $102,950 in 2025, a gain of $22,180. That amounts to a 27% rise over the decade, according to the same government wage data. The increase was not perfectly steady year to year, but the overall direction moved upward.

Nationally, Dental Hygienist pay rose 36% over the same ten years, a faster pace than Virginia's climb. Pay in the state has moved up substantially over the past decade, though past increases are no guarantee of future gains. Someone starting now enters a field where pay has trended higher over time.

Pay runs highest in Arlington, where Dental Hygienists typically earn $119,170 a year, about 16% above the statewide figure. Charlottesville follows at $107,690 a year, and Richmond comes in at $104,250. These cities cover their full surrounding metro areas rather than just city limits.

Bristol pays the least among Virginia's cities, at $82,870 a year, a spread of $36,300 between the highest- and lowest-paying areas. Arlington also has the largest Dental Hygienist workforce in the state, at 2,200 workers. Higher pay in cities like Arlington often tracks a higher cost of living, so take-home value can even out.

Virginia's neighbors show a wide range. The District of Columbia pays Dental Hygienists 33% more than Virginia, at $137,220 a year, while Maryland runs about 5% higher at $107,830. West Virginia pays the least of the group, 28% below Virginia at $73,840, with North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky also paying less. Licensure in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a nearby state, easing a move across these borders.

Dental Hygienists in Virginia typically earn $102,950 a year, up 27% over the past decade. Pay varies by city, from $119,170 in Arlington to $82,870 in Bristol, and tends to rise with experience. For details on becoming licensed, check Virginia's dental licensing board requirements, and see the city-level pages for local pay figures before choosing where to work.