Dental Hygienist salary in Birmingham, AL
Dental Hygienists in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $61,730 a year ($29.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,150 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,070 for the top 10%. That is 37% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 1% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $61,160. There are 2.2 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,990 | $27.40 |
| 25th percentile | $61,030 | $29.34 |
| Median | $61,730 | $29.68 |
| 75th percentile | $70,500 | $33.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,070 | $35.61 |
| Average (mean) | $63,360 | $30.46 |
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 | $5,144.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,572.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,374.23 |
| Weekly | $1,187.12 |
| Hourly | $29.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,730 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 |
| 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 |
See Dental Hygienist pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,680 | $37.83 |
| Pharmacist | $138,800 | $66.73 |
| Physicians, All Other | $237,040 | $113.96 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $107,700 | $51.78 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,750 | $47.00 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $67,480 | $32.44 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $175,850 | $84.54 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $75,750 | $36.42 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,250 | $45.80 |
| Veterinarian | $106,890 | $51.39 |
| Physician Assistant | $105,440 | $50.69 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $65,220 | $31.35 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $334,100 | $160.63 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $119,990 | $57.69 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, 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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $61,730 a year, or $29.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $74,070 a year. The top 25% earn $70,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,990 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $61,030 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Birmingham, AL?
About 1,150 dental hygienists are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.