Dental Hygienist Salary in Augusta, GA: $83,784 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Augusta, GA earns a median $83,784/year (≈ $40.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Augusta's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.9), that paycheck buys what $91,166 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the dental hygienist salary in Augusta is projected to be $83,784 annually, reflecting a notable gap when compared to the national median of $102,946. The salary range for this profession in Augusta varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $66,249 and experienced practitioners making up to $99,525. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys and underscores the variations that local job markets can present. Factors such as the cost of living in Augusta, which is below the national average, play a key role in determining compensation levels for dental hygienists in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,249 | $31.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,096 | $37.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,784 | $40.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,852 | $46.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,525 | $47.85 |
Median Salary Position
18.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Augusta
In Augusta, GA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,276 (2026 est.). At $83,784, the local median is 18.61% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Augusta: You'd be above the median
How Augusta Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Augusta median: $83,784/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Augusta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $85,494 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -18.61% less |
Dental Hygienists in Augusta, GA earn a median of $83,784 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.61% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 2.00% below the Georgia state average of $85,494.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Augusta has a cost of living 8.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Augusta, GA has a cost-of-living index of 91.903 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $83,784 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $91,166 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.81% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$59,220
2025 BLS Actual
$79,840
2026 Current Est.
$83,784
2020–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Augusta (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $59,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,784 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,923 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Augusta metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 34.8% from $59,220 (2020) to $79,840 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,923 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,703 (48.47%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Augusta 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) | $66,249 – $78,096 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,096 – $83,784 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,784 – $95,852 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,852 – $99,525 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Augusta
Analyzing the job market, Augusta employs approximately 370 dental hygienists, offering a competitive landscape for career growth and job security. The local cost of living index is 91.903, indicating that while salaries may be lower than the national benchmark, the purchasing power remains relatively robust. Among local employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) tend to offer the most lucrative pay, especially for new hires who may benefit from sign-on bonuses. Variations in pay can also be seen in private dental practices versus larger organizations, where factors such as production-based bonuses and full benefits are pivotal. To optimize earnings in Augusta, dental hygienists should consider positioning themselves within DSOs and exploring flexible scheduling arrangements that can enhance their weekly income. By focusing on strategic employment options, practitioners can improve their financial outcomes in this evolving market.
More salary data for Augusta, GA:
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 $79,840 for dental hygienistsin the Augusta 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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