Dental Hygienist Pay

Brooklyn Center vs Duluth: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Brooklyn Center, MN and Duluth, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brooklyn Center, MN
$103,324
$49.68/hr
Duluth, MN
$103,471
$49.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrooklyn Center, MNDuluth, MN
Median Salary$103,324$103,471
Hourly Rate$49.68$49.75
Entry Level (P10)$79,173$82,325
25th Percentile$87,009$86,649
75th Percentile$109,907$105,181
Top Earner (P90)$133,245$106,283
Total Employed7220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brooklyn Center ($103,324) and Duluth ($103,471) dental hygienist salaries.Brooklyn CenterDuluthMedian Salary$103,324$103,471Entry Level (P10)$79,173$82,325Top Earner (P90)$133,245$106,283US Median $102,946

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Brooklyn Center.

The salary gap between Brooklyn Center and Duluth is $147 (0.14%). Duluth's median is +0.51% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brooklyn Center spans $54,072,Duluth spans $23,958. Brooklyn Center has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Brooklyn Center
P10 (Entry)$79,173
P25$87,009
Median$103,324
P75$109,907
P90 (Top)$133,245
Duluth
P10 (Entry)$82,325
P25$86,649
Median$103,471
P75$105,181
P90 (Top)$106,283

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($116,563 effective) pays 11.12% more than Brooklyn Center ($104,897 effective).

Brooklyn Center
Nominal: $103,324
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $104,897
Duluth
Nominal: $103,471
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $116,563

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brooklyn Center if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($133,245)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($103,471/year)
  • Larger job market (220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $116,563)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Brooklyn Center grew 31.5% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 49.9% growth in Duluth over the same period.

Brooklyn Center, MN

+31.5%

$74,896 (2020) → $98,460 (2025)

Duluth, MN

+49.9%

$65,760 (2020) → $98,600 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Brooklyn Center or Duluth?

Duluth has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $103,471/year, compared to Brooklyn Center at $103,324/year — a difference of $147 (0.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brooklyn Center and Duluth?

Brooklyn Center dental hygienists earn $49.68/hr while Duluth hygienists earn $49.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brooklyn Center to Duluth as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brooklyn Center and Duluth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brooklyn Center = $104,897, Duluth = $116,563), job availability (7 vs 220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Brooklyn Center vs Duluth?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $79,173 in Brooklyn Center and $82,325 in Duluth. The Duluth area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov