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

A typical Dental Hygienist in Washington earns about $63.06 per hour, or $131,160 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Broken down further, that works out to roughly $10,930 a month and $2,522 a week, both figures calculated from the annual number. Pay varies by employer and city, but this figure anchors the typical range across the state.

That pay runs 34% above the national figure of $98,100 a year, one of the widest gaps in the country. Washington ranks 3rd among all 50 states for Dental Hygienist wages. About 6,330 Dental Hygienists work across the state, a workforce large enough to make the typical figure reliable.

Entry-level positions in Washington typically offer around $51.49 an hour, or about $107,090 a year, for Dental Hygienists just starting out. Pay tends to move toward the $63.06 typical hourly rate within the first few years on the job. New hygienists in larger metro areas often see faster movement toward that figure than those in smaller towns.

Experienced Dental Hygienists in Washington often earn upwards of $134,670 a year, and the top 10% make over $162,050, or $77.91 an hour. That leaves a spread of $54,960 between entry-level and top pay. Practice setting, years of experience, and city all play a part in where an individual hygienist lands within that range.

Washington's typical Dental Hygienist pay climbed from $90,830 in 2015 to $131,160 in 2025, a gain of $40,330. That amounts to a 44% rise over the decade, with the steepest jump coming between 2022 and 2023. Pay dipped slightly in 2024 before climbing again in 2025.

That 44% increase outpaces the 36% national rise over the same ten years. Pay in the field has moved up steadily in Washington, though past gains don't guarantee future increases. Someone starting out now enters a market where wages have trended upward for a decade.

Tacoma pays the most for Dental Hygienists in Washington, at $133,740 a year (metro-area figures), about 2% above the statewide figure. Seattle and Bellevue match that same $133,740 figure, reflecting the shared Puget Sound labor market. Bremerton, Silverdale, and Port Orchard follow closely at $131,040 a year.

Walla Walla pays the least among Washington's metro areas, at $106,680 a year, a spread of $27,060 from Tacoma. Tacoma also carries the largest Dental Hygienist workforce in the state, with about 3,500 employed there. Higher pay in cities like Tacoma and Seattle generally tracks their higher cost of living, while lower pay in smaller cities like Walla Walla tends to follow lower living costs.

Washington's Dental Hygienist pay compares closely with Alaska, where the typical wage is $132,690 a year, just 1% below Washington. Oregon pays $122,080, about 7% less, and Idaho trails furthest at $94,650, 28% below Washington. Dental hygiene licensure can often be transferred or endorsed between neighboring states, which makes it easier to compare job offers across state lines when weighing a move.

Dental Hygienists in Washington typically earn $131,160 a year, up 44% over the past decade and well above the national figure. For specific licensing requirements, check the Washington state dental hygiene board's registry page. For local figures, compare city pages for Tacoma, Seattle, and other Washington metro areas before evaluating a job offer or planning a move.