Dental Hygienist Pay

Detroit vs Port Huron: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Detroit, MI and Port Huron, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Detroit, MI
$88,653
$42.62/hr
Port Huron, MI
$82,962
$39.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIPort Huron, MI
Median Salary$88,653$82,962
Hourly Rate$42.62$39.89
Entry Level (P10)$82,504$64,709
25th Percentile$84,330$70,703
75th Percentile$101,099$90,852
Top Earner (P90)$102,033$100,280
Total Employed3,7806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($88,653) and Port Huron ($82,962) dental hygienist salaries.DetroitPort HuronMedian Salary$88,653$82,962Entry Level (P10)$82,504$64,709Top Earner (P90)$102,033$100,280US Median $102,946

Verdict

Detroit, MI offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Port Huron.

The salary gap between Detroit and Port Huron is $5,691 (6.86%). Detroit's median is -13.88% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $19,529,Port Huron spans $35,571. Port Huron has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$82,504
P25$84,330
Median$88,653
P75$101,099
P90 (Top)$102,033
Port Huron
P10 (Entry)$64,709
P25$70,703
Median$82,962
P75$90,852
P90 (Top)$100,280

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Port Huron ($89,015 effective) pays 0.71% more than Detroit ($88,390 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $88,653
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $88,390
Port Huron
Nominal: $82,962
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $89,015

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Detroit if…

  • Higher median salary ($88,653/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,033)
  • Larger job market (3,780 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Port Huron if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $89,015)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Detroit grew 20.9% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 19.1% growth in Port Huron over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+20.9%

$69,880 (2020) → $84,480 (2025)

Port Huron, MI

+19.1%

$66,373 (2020) → $79,057 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Detroit or Port Huron?

Detroit has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $88,653/year, compared to Port Huron at $82,962/year — a difference of $5,691 (6.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Port Huron?

Detroit dental hygienists earn $42.62/hr while Port Huron hygienists earn $39.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Port Huron as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Port Huron. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $88,390, Port Huron = $89,015), job availability (3,780 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Detroit vs Port Huron?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $82,504 in Detroit and $64,709 in Port Huron. The Detroit 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