Dental Hygienist salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Dental Hygienists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $113,760 a year ($54.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,100 workers.
Pay ranges from $100,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,020 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 4% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $109,580. There are 1.3 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $110,600, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,890 | $48.50 |
| 25th percentile | $103,360 | $49.69 |
| Median | $113,760 | $54.69 |
| 75th percentile | $126,860 | $60.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $128,020 | $61.55 |
| Average (mean) | $110,600 | $53.17 |
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 | $9,480 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,740 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,375.38 |
| Weekly | $2,187.69 |
| Hourly | $54.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $113,760 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $130,000 | 300 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $118,410 | 500 |
| Greeley, CO | $110,080 | 140 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $106,650 | 450 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $98,910 | 170 |
| Pueblo, CO | $98,700 | 140 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,340 | $49.20 |
| Pharmacist | $157,890 | $75.91 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $112,090 | $53.89 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,040 | $64.44 |
| Dentists, General | $168,620 | $81.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,540 | $64.68 |
| Physicians, All Other | $298,600 | $143.56 |
| Veterinarian | $135,090 | $64.95 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $85,870 | $41.28 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,590 | $122.88 |
| Chiropractor | $84,100 | $40.43 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $96,160 | $46.23 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $113,760 a year, or $54.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $100,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $128,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $128,020 a year. The top 25% earn $126,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $100,890 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $103,360 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 2,100 dental hygienists are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.