Dental Hygienist Pay

Baton Rouge vs Kenner: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Baton Rouge, LA and Kenner, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baton Rouge, LA
$97,279
$46.77/hr
Kenner, LA
$84,647
$40.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaton Rouge, LAKenner, LA
Median Salary$97,279$84,647
Hourly Rate$46.77$40.70
Entry Level (P10)$82,378$66,902
25th Percentile$86,586$73,195
75th Percentile$100,637$96,134
Top Earner (P90)$100,721$112,359
Total Employed41011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baton Rouge ($97,279) and Kenner ($84,647) dental hygienist salaries.Baton RougeKennerMedian Salary$97,279$84,647Entry Level (P10)$82,378$66,902Top Earner (P90)$100,721$112,359US Median $102,946

Verdict

Baton Rouge, LA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kenner.

The salary gap between Baton Rouge and Kenner is $12,632 (14.92%). Baton Rouge's median is -5.50% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baton Rouge spans $18,343,Kenner spans $45,457. Kenner has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Baton Rouge
P10 (Entry)$82,378
P25$86,586
Median$97,279
P75$100,637
P90 (Top)$100,721
Kenner
P10 (Entry)$66,902
P25$73,195
Median$84,647
P75$96,134
P90 (Top)$112,359

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baton Rouge ($107,159 effective) pays 14.32% more than Kenner ($93,740 effective).

Baton Rouge
Nominal: $97,279
CoL Index: 90.78
Adjusted: $107,159
Kenner
Nominal: $84,647
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $93,740

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baton Rouge if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,279/year)
  • Larger job market (410 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $107,159)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Kenner if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($112,359)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Baton Rouge grew 24.9% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 11.7% growth in Kenner over the same period.

Baton Rouge, LA

+24.9%

$74,200 (2020) → $92,700 (2025)

Kenner, LA

+11.7%

$72,230 (2020) → $80,662 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Baton Rouge or Kenner?

Baton Rouge has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $97,279/year, compared to Kenner at $84,647/year — a difference of $12,632 (14.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baton Rouge and Kenner?

Baton Rouge dental hygienists earn $46.77/hr while Kenner hygienists earn $40.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baton Rouge to Kenner as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baton Rouge and Kenner. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baton Rouge = $107,159, Kenner = $93,740), job availability (410 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Baton Rouge vs Kenner?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $82,378 in Baton Rouge and $66,902 in Kenner. The Baton Rouge area offers higher starting salaries.
SCSarah Chen

Written by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH

Dental Career Analyst

Sarah Chen is a registered dental hygienist with over 12 years of clinical experience. She specializes in salary benchmarking and career strategy, helping dental professionals make data-driven career decisions using official BLS statistics.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov