Dental Hygienist Salary in Williamsburg, VA: $99,721 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Williamsburg, VA earns a median $99,721/year (≈ $47.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Williamsburg's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $96,629 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Williamsburg, Virginia, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $99,721. Compared to the national median of $102,946, this figure reflects the area's unique economic conditions, especially given the cost of living index of 103.2, which is slightly above the national average. Salaries for dental hygienists in the area range from approximately $78,375 at the 10th percentile to $124,097 at the 90th percentile. These estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, highlight a workforce that is relatively small, with only five dental hygienists currently employed locally, underscoring the selective nature of the job market in Williamsburg.
About the Williamsburg Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($94,466) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,375 | $37.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,959 | $40.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,721 | $47.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,096 | $50.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,097 | $59.66 |
Median Salary Position
3.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williamsburg
In Williamsburg, VA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,722 (2026 est.). At $99,721, the local median is 3.13% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williamsburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Williamsburg Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Williamsburg median: $99,721/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williamsburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $105,302 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -3.13% less |
Dental Hygienists in Williamsburg, VA earn a median of $99,721 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.13% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.30% below the Virginia state average of $105,302.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williamsburg has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Williamsburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $99,721 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $96,629 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$73,331
2025 BLS Actual
$95,027
2026 Current Est.
$99,721
2020–2027 Growth
+42.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Williamsburg (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $73,331 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,594 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,952 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,487 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,434 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,027 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,721 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,648 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williamsburg metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 29.6% from $73,331 (2020) to $95,027 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,648 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,317 (42.71%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williamsburg metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $78,375 – $84,959 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,959 – $99,721 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,721 – $104,096 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,096 – $124,097 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Williamsburg
The local job market for dental hygienists reveals important factors influencing compensation levels. The slightly elevated cost of living means that take-home salaries can be impacted by decisions about where to work; for instance, positions within Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often come with higher pay due to benefits like sign-on bonuses and comprehensive insurance packages. Employers in Williamsburg that pay the most typically include DSOs or specialized practices like periodontics and pediatrics, where demand may drive compensation higher. The variation in dental hygienist pay in Williamsburg VA can also be attributed to differences in employment models—including production-based bonuses for metrics like perio recall and recare retention. Aspiring dental hygienists looking to maximize their pay might consider negotiating their schedules between four-day and five-day work weeks or targeting practices that align with their long-term career goals.
More salary data for Williamsburg, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH
Dental Career Analyst
Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $95,027 for dental hygienistsin the Williamsburg metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Williamsburg is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov