Dental Hygienist Salary in Topeka, KS: $92,578 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Topeka, KS earns a median $92,578/year (≈ $44.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Topeka's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $104,231 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Topeka, Kansas, the projected 2026 median annual salary for dental hygienists stands at $92,578, indicating a competitive position relative to the state average. The salary range for dental hygienists in the area spans from $83,826 at the 10th percentile to $97,647 at the 90th percentile, based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. With the local median reflecting a -10.07% difference compared to the national median of $102,946, it's clear that while Topeka offers decent compensation for dental hygienists, there remains a gap that is often shaped by local demand and practice structures. The job market for dental hygienists in Topeka reflects a strong employment base, with about 240 professionals occupying this crucial role in the healthcare system.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $83,826 | $40.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,450 | $41.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,578 | $44.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,848 | $45.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,647 | $46.95 |
Median Salary Position
10.07% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Topeka
In Topeka, KS, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,821 (2026 est.). At $92,578, the local median is 10.07% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Topeka: You'd be above the median
How Topeka Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Topeka median: $92,578/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Topeka Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $93,608 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -10.07% less |
Dental Hygienists in Topeka, KS earn a median of $92,578 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.07% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.10% below the Kansas state average of $93,608.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Topeka has a cost of living 11.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Topeka, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.82 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $92,578 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $104,231 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.59% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$64,750
2025 BLS Actual
$88,220
2026 Current Est.
$92,578
2020–2027 Growth
+50.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Topeka (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $64,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,790 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,578 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $97,151 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Topeka metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 36.2% from $64,750 (2020) to $88,220 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $97,151 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,401 (50.04%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Topeka metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $83,826 – $86,450 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,450 – $92,578 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,578 – $93,848 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,848 – $97,647 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Topeka
As for the local job market, Topeka has a measured strength with 240 employed dental hygienists, allowing for varied employment opportunities within the city. With a cost-of-living index of 88.82, wages in Topeka stretch further compared to the national average, providing a slightly more favorable economic environment for dental hygienists. The highest salaries tend to be offered by Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen, often complemented by robust sign-on bonuses and benefits packages, which can outweigh the compensation in solo practices that may lack health insurance. Differences in pay often arise from production-based bonuses linked to perioperative recall and recare retention, in addition to the type of work schedule employed. To maximize earning potential, dental hygienists in Topeka might consider seeking positions in larger practices or DSOs, as well as negotiating for benefits that can significantly enhance their total compensation.
More salary data for Topeka, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $88,220 for dental hygienistsin the Topeka metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov