Dental Hygienist salary in Alabama
Dental Hygienists in Alabama earn a median of $61,160 a year ($29.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,410 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $98,100. Alabama ranks 50th of 50 states for dental hygienists pay. There are 1.5 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,850, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,960 | $23.54 |
| 25th percentile | $58,800 | $28.27 |
| Median | $61,160 | $29.41 |
| 75th percentile | $63,410 | $30.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,410 | $34.81 |
| Average (mean) | $60,850 | $29.25 |
Half of dental hygienists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,096.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,548.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,352.31 |
| Weekly | $1,176.15 |
| Hourly | $29.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,160 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Hygienist salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, GA-AL | $80,240 | 240 |
| Huntsville, AL | $62,370 | 360 |
| Birmingham, AL | $61,730 | 1,150 |
| Decatur, AL | $61,340 | 80 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $61,000 | 160 |
| Mobile, AL | $60,710 | 200 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $60,500 | 130 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $60,490 | 90 |
| Montgomery, AL | $60,120 | 190 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $58,660 | 80 |
| Dothan, AL | $58,310 | 100 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $56,950 | 70 |
| Gadsden, AL | $55,840 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for dental hygienists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $137,220 |
| Alaska | $132,690 |
| Washington | $131,160 |
| California | $124,930 |
| Oregon | $122,080 |
| Nevada | $115,290 |
| Colorado | $109,580 |
| Maryland | $107,830 |
| New Jersey | $107,040 |
| New York | $106,130 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $105,750 | $50.84 |
| Pharmacist | $134,630 | $64.72 |
| Physicians, All Other | $272,610 | $131.06 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $66,150 | $31.81 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $73,660 | $35.41 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $190,300 | $91.49 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,050 | $45.21 |
| Veterinarian | $105,630 | $50.79 |
| Physician Assistant | $104,960 | $50.46 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Optometrist | $145,090 | $69.75 |
| Chiropractor | $80,990 | $38.94 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1292. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dental hygienist make in Alabama?
The median salary for dental hygienists in Alabama is $61,160 a year, or $29.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,960 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Alabama?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in Alabama earn at least $72,410 a year. The top 25% earn $63,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,960 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $58,800 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Alabama?
About 3,170 dental hygienists are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.