Dental Hygienist salary in Auburn-Opelika, AL
Dental Hygienists in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area earn a median of $60,490 a year ($29.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,630 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 1% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $61,160. There are 1.2 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $59,580, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Auburn-Opelika, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,120 | $22.65 |
| 25th percentile | $58,890 | $28.31 |
| Median | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| 75th percentile | $61,680 | $29.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Average (mean) | $59,580 | $28.65 |
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 | $5,040.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,520.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,326.54 |
| Weekly | $1,163.27 |
| Hourly | $29.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,490 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 other metro areas nearby
| 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 |
| 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 |
See Dental Hygienist pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Auburn-Opelika, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,040 | $37.52 |
| Pharmacist | $133,180 | $64.03 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $108,500 | $52.16 |
| Physicians, All Other | $293,630 | $141.17 |
| Physical Therapist | $86,120 | $41.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $74,150 | $35.65 |
| Veterinarian | $101,060 | $48.59 |
| Occupational Therapist | $97,600 | $46.92 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,490 | $18.98 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $50,630 | $24.34 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $54,270 | $26.09 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $48,210 | $23.18 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Auburn-Opelika, AL
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 Auburn-Opelika, AL?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area is $60,490 a year, or $29.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,630 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area earn at least $62,630 a year. The top 25% earn $61,680 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,120 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $58,890 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
About 90 dental hygienists are employed in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.