Dental Hygienist salary in Lafayette, LA
Dental Hygienists in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn a median of $81,900 a year ($39.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,310 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 4% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $85,240. There are 1.1 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.76). The average (mean) salary is $81,710, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Lafayette, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,450 | $23.78 |
| 25th percentile | $80,810 | $38.85 |
| Median | $81,900 | $39.38 |
| 75th percentile | $91,520 | $44.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,310 | $46.30 |
| Average (mean) | $81,710 | $39.28 |
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 | $6,825 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,412.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,150 |
| Weekly | $1,575 |
| Hourly | $39.38 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $81,900 salary, see how much house you can afford in Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $93,650 | 840 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $92,700 | 410 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $85,920 | 230 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $84,080 | 120 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $82,760 | 260 |
| Hammond, LA | $81,840 | 70 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $81,800 | 120 |
| Alexandria, LA | $80,330 | 80 |
| Monroe, LA | $79,530 | 160 |
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 Louisiana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lafayette, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $81,960 | $39.41 |
| Pharmacist | $132,130 | $63.53 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $120,930 | $58.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $84,340 | $40.55 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $69,610 | $33.46 |
| Dentists, General | $171,860 | $82.63 |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,710 | $41.21 |
| Physicians, All Other | $299,990 | $144.23 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $63,200 | $30.38 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $216,300 | $103.99 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,550 | $64.69 |
| Veterinarian | $124,470 | $59.84 |
| Chiropractor | $76,580 | $36.82 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lafayette, LA
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 Lafayette, LA?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Lafayette, LA metro area is $81,900 a year, or $39.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Lafayette, LA?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Lafayette, LA metro area earn at least $96,310 a year. The top 25% earn $91,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Lafayette, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,450 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $80,810 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Lafayette, LA?
About 200 dental hygienists are employed in the Lafayette, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.