Dental Hygienist Salary in Bothell, WA: $124,377 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Bothell, WA earns a median $124,377/year (≈ $59.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Bothell's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $115,807 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bothell, Washington, the dental hygienist salary reflects a robust local market with an estimated annual median income of $124,377 in 2026. This figure surpasses the national median of $102,946 by a significant margin of 20.82%, showcasing a favorable compensation environment for dental hygienists in the region. The salary range exhibits variation based on experience and practice setting, with the lowest 10% earning around $102,198 and the top 90% making up to $156,438. With only 13 dental hygienists reported to be employed locally, this indicates a relatively niche market positioned for growth, as practices increasingly seek out skilled professionals to meet community needs.
About the Bothell Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($123,942) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $102,198 | $49.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $109,830 | $52.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,377 | $59.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,572 | $63.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $156,438 | $75.21 |
Median Salary Position
20.82% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bothell
In Bothell, WA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,240 (2026 est.). At $124,377, the local median is 20.82% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bothell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bothell Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Bothell median: $124,377/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bothell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $129,022 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +20.82% more |
Dental Hygienists in Bothell, WA earn a median of $124,377 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.82% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 3.60% below the Washington state average of $129,022.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bothell has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bothell, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $124,377 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $115,807 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$94,813
2025 BLS Actual
$118,522
2026 Current Est.
$124,377
2020–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Bothell (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $94,813 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,161 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,448 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,251 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,522 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,377 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,521 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bothell metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 25.0% from $94,813 (2020) to $118,522 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,521 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,708 (37.66%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bothell 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) | $102,198 – $109,830 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $109,830 – $124,377 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,377 – $132,572 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,572 – $156,438 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Bothell
Amidst a cost-of-living index of 107.4, the effective purchasing power of dental hygienists in Bothell can take a hit, making it essential for professionals to strategically maximize their earnings. Multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often provide competitive pay and benefits packages that may include comprehensive health insurance, which is typically lacking in solo practices. The variation in salaries can also be influenced by production-based incentives that reward hygienists for achieving performance metrics, especially in areas like periodontal recall care. Newly licensed hygienists can leverage sign-on bonuses frequently available through DSOs, whereas more experienced RDHs may find negotiating for a four-day workweek beneficial for their work-life balance while still securing competitive pay. Understanding the job market dynamics is crucial for those considering a career in dental hygiene, as the potential for income varies widely based on practice type and individual negotiation efforts in Bothell, WA.
More salary data for Bothell, WA:
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 $118,522 for dental hygienistsin the Bothell 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 Bothell 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