Dental Hygienist salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Dental Hygienists in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn a median of $81,830 a year ($39.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,500 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 14% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $95,490. There are 1.4 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $82,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,860 | $31.18 |
| 25th percentile | $77,650 | $37.33 |
| Median | $81,830 | $39.34 |
| 75th percentile | $92,270 | $44.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,500 | $44.95 |
| Average (mean) | $82,380 | $39.61 |
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 | $6,819.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,409.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,147.31 |
| Weekly | $1,573.65 |
| Hourly | $39.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,830 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Dental Hygienist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $100,370 | 4,710 |
| Gainesville, GA | $92,840 | 160 |
| Hinesville, GA | $86,340 | 30 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $83,460 | 460 |
| Rome, GA | $83,200 | 70 |
| Dalton, GA | $82,010 | 100 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $81,470 | 90 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $80,240 | 240 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $79,840 | 370 |
| Valdosta, GA | $79,360 | 100 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $79,260 | 120 |
| Albany, GA | $79,230 | 90 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $78,770 | 130 |
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 |
See Dental Hygienist pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Athens-Clarke County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| Pharmacist | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,140 | $61.61 |
| Physicians, All Other | $235,360 | $113.15 |
| Physician Assistant | $125,460 | $60.32 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,570 | $48.83 |
| Veterinarian | $123,320 | $59.29 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $281,100 | $135.14 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $217,050 | $104.35 |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,080 | $48.59 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,730 | $39.29 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $61,370 | $29.51 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $93,890 | $45.14 |
| Dentists, General | $166,440 | $80.02 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Athens-Clarke County, GA
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 Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $81,830 a year, or $39.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area earn at least $93,500 a year. The top 25% earn $92,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,860 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $77,650 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
About 130 dental hygienists are employed in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.