Dental Hygienist salary in Lake Charles, LA
Dental Hygienists in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn a median of $84,080 a year ($40.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $62,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,910 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $98,100. Pay here is 1% lower than the Louisiana statewide median of $85,240. There are 1.2 dental hygienists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $80,450, close to the median.
Pay range for dental hygienists in Lake Charles, LA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,950 | $30.27 |
| 25th percentile | $75,570 | $36.33 |
| Median | $84,080 | $40.42 |
| 75th percentile | $87,460 | $42.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,910 | $44.67 |
| Average (mean) | $80,450 | $38.68 |
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 | $7,006.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,503.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,233.85 |
| Weekly | $1,616.92 |
| Hourly | $40.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $84,080 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 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $82,760 | 260 |
| Lafayette, LA | $81,900 | 200 |
| 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 Lake Charles, LA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $90,690 | $43.60 |
| Pharmacist | $133,720 | $64.29 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $64,720 | $31.11 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,460 | $61.76 |
| Physical Therapist | $88,900 | $42.74 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Dentists, General | $114,470 | $55.03 |
| Occupational Therapist | $83,840 | $40.31 |
| Physicians, All Other | $284,440 | $136.75 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $73,680 | $35.42 |
| Veterinarian | $115,210 | $55.39 |
| Physician Assistant | $127,160 | $61.13 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $53,300 | $25.63 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $41,520 | $19.96 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lake Charles, 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 Lake Charles, LA?
The median salary for dental hygienists in the Lake Charles, LA metro area is $84,080 a year, or $40.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $62,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid dental hygienists make in Lake Charles, LA?
The top 10% of dental hygienists in the Lake Charles, LA metro area earn at least $92,910 a year. The top 25% earn $87,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for dental hygienists in Lake Charles, LA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $62,950 a year, and a quarter of dental hygienists earn $75,570 or less.
How many dental hygienists work in Lake Charles, LA?
About 120 dental hygienists are employed in the Lake Charles, LA metro area, not counting the self-employed.