Dental Hygienist Salary in Oklahoma: $101,853 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Oklahoma's 27 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $101,853/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Oklahoma sits at BEA RPP 88.9 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $114,570 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Tulsa ($100,350), Oklahoma City ($97,110), Lawton ($92,210).
In 2026, dental hygienists in Oklahoma are projected to earn an average median salary of $101,853, slightly below the national median of $102,946, reflecting a difference of -1.1%. The salary range across various cities highlights disparities, with Tulsa offering the highest average at $105,307, in contrast to Sand Springs, which offers the lowest at $84,118, creating a gap of $21,189. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the local cost of living, demand for dental services, and the concentration of dental practices in metropolitan areas. Oklahoma has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact the role of dental hygienists, promoting a steady demand for these professionals. The total employment for dental hygienists in the state stands at 2,516, with cities like Oklahoma City and Lawton projected to provide average salaries of $101,907 and $96,765, respectively. The job market outlook for dental hygienists in Oklahoma is positive, with an annual growth rate projected at 4.94%. This growth is driven by an increasing focus on preventive dental care and an aging population, indicating strong demand for dental hygiene services. As such, this field provides a stable career path with considerable opportunities across major cities in the state.
Oklahoma Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Oklahoma: $65,173 (lowest entry-level) to $128,457 (highest top earner)
Oklahoma vs National Average
Oklahoma dental hygienists earn 1.06% less than the national median ($-1,093/year difference).
Oklahoma Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Oklahoma range from $90,613 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $125,583 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $101,853. The Oklahoma median is $1,093 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $48.97/hr. Approximately 2,516 dental hygienists are employed across 27 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$78,601
2025 BLS Actual
$97,058
2026 Current Est.
$101,853
2020–2027 Growth
+36.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Oklahoma (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $78,601 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,782 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,993 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,662 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,058 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,853 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,885 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oklahoma metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 23.5% from $78,601 (2020) to $97,058 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,885 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,284 (35.98%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oklahoma 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Oklahoma
Lowest Paying Cities in Oklahoma
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sand Springs | $84,118 |
| Ponca City | $85,027 |
| Durant | $85,680 |
| Del City | $86,052 |
| Sapulpa | $86,314 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Oklahoma
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oklahoma cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tulsa | $105,307 | 89.214 | $118,039 |
| Oklahoma City | $101,907 | 90.408 | $112,719 |
| Lawton | $96,765 | 85.941 | $112,595 |
| Broken Arrow | $93,570 | 88.9 | $105,253 |
| Norman | $92,756 | 88.9 | $104,337 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Oklahoma
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $90,613 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $101,853 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $125,583 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oklahoma metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 27 Cities in Oklahoma
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tulsa | $105,307 |
| 2 | Oklahoma City | $101,907 |
| 3 | Lawton | $96,765 |
| 4 | Broken Arrow | $93,570 |
| 5 | Norman | $92,756 |
| 6 | Enid | $91,521 |
| 7 | Moore | $91,514 |
| 8 | Midwest City | $90,699 |
| 9 | Yukon | $90,389 |
| 10 | Bartlesville | $89,786 |
| 11 | Owasso | $89,218 |
| 12 | Muskogee | $89,126 |
| 13 | Stillwater | $89,028 |
| 14 | Shawnee | $88,941 |
| 15 | Edmond | $88,338 |
| 16 | Tahlequah | $87,856 |
| 17 | Bixby | $87,719 |
| 18 | Jenks | $87,388 |
| 19 | Claremore | $87,202 |
| 20 | Altus | $86,768 |
| 21 | Ardmore | $86,611 |
| 22 | Bethany | $86,610 |
| 23 | Sapulpa | $86,314 |
| 24 | Del City | $86,052 |
| 25 | Durant | $85,680 |
| 26 | Ponca City | $85,027 |
| 27 | Sand Springs | $84,118 |
More Oklahoma Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Compare Cities in Oklahoma
View all comparisons →Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Oklahoma in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Oklahoma?
How does Oklahoma dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Oklahoma?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Oklahoma?
Which Oklahoma city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across Oklahoma. State averages are employment-weighted across 27 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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