Dental Hygienist salary in Columbia, MO
Dental Hygienists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn a median of $86,300 a year ($41.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,850 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 7% lower than the Missouri statewide median of $92,750. There are 1.3 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $85,790, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Columbia, MO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,020 | $25.49 |
| 25th percentile | $85,550 | $41.13 |
| Median | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| 75th percentile | $95,850 | $46.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,850 | $47.05 |
| Average (mean) | $85,790 | $41.25 |
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 | $7,191.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,595.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,319.23 |
| Weekly | $1,659.62 |
| Hourly | $41.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $86,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $97,650 | 2,150 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $92,750 | 1,800 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $87,370 | 80 |
| Springfield, MO | $85,840 | 360 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $85,290 | 80 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $83,690 | 80 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $83,270 | 120 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Columbia, MO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,330 | $40.54 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $69,590 | $33.46 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,930 | $61.99 |
| Pharmacist | $139,430 | $67.03 |
| Physical Therapist | $83,320 | $40.06 |
| Physicians, All Other | $312,080 | $150.04 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,550 | $47.38 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $69,400 | $33.36 |
| Physician Assistant | $132,220 | $63.57 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,610 | $46.93 |
| Veterinarian | $99,620 | $47.89 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $310,170 | $149.12 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,640 | $32.04 |
| Dentists, General | $207,450 | $99.74 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, MO
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 Columbia, MO?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Columbia, MO metro area is $86,300 a year, or $41.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Columbia, MO?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Columbia, MO metro area earn at least $97,850 a year. The top 25% earn $95,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Columbia, MO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,020 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $85,550 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Columbia, MO?
About 140 dental hygienists are employed in the Columbia, MO metro area, not counting the self-employed.