Dental hygienist pay in Washington, DC
Dental hygienists in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a typical $119,170 a year. The middle half earn $103,340 to $125,560, and the top 10% earn more than $132,000. About 2,200 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Dental Hygienists, SOC 29-1292).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $94,290 |
| 25th percentile | $103,340 |
| Median (typical) | $119,170 |
| 75th percentile | $125,560 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $132,000 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 8 of 50 large metros for dental hygienists before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $119,170, a single filer keeps about $85,500 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and D.C. state income tax. Prices in Washington are 9% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $78,500 would in a typical US city. That ranks Washington No. 15 of 50 large metros for dental hygienists after cost of living.
Where dental hygienists’ pay goes furthest
- Seattle, WA$133,740 typical · worth $92.4k
- San Jose, CA$139,990 typical · worth $88.9k
- San Francisco, CA$146,760 typical · worth $88.4k
- Las Vegas, NV$109,210 typical · worth $85.5k
All 50 metros for dental hygienists →
Where does your salary land?
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Common questions
How much does a dental hygienist make in Washington, DC?
The typical (median) dental hygienist in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earns $119,170 a year. The middle half earn between $103,340 and $125,560, and the top 10% earn more than $132,000. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a dental hygienist in Washington?
Anything above $119,170 pays more than half of dental hygienists in Washington. $125,560 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $132,000 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a dental hygienist in Washington take home after taxes?
At the typical $119,170, a single filer keeps about $85,500 a year ($7,130 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, D.C. state income tax. With local prices 9% above the US average, that buys what $78,500 would in a typical US city.
Where do dental hygienists get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical dental hygienist pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in Seattle, WA, San Jose, CA, San Francisco, CA. Washington, DC ranks No. 15.
More: Dental hygienist pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in Washington, DC
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.