Dental Hygienist Salary in Virginia Beach, VA: $103,775 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Virginia Beach, VA earns a median $103,775/year (≈ $49.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Virginia Beach's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $105,957 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in Virginia Beach is $103,775, slightly above the national median of $102,946. This particular figure indicates a favorable outlook for dental hygienist pay in Virginia Beach, VA, as it highlights the city's competitive compensation relative to national standards. The salary range in this area varies from $98,255 at the 10th percentile to $110,953 at the 90th percentile, offering a promising spectrum for professionals at different experience levels. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, this data reflects the increasing demand for dental hygienists, with a growth rate of 4.94% projected over the next five years. As the local healthcare sector expands, it is likely that the job market for dental hygienists in Virginia Beach will continue to strengthen, correlating with higher salary expectations.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,255 | $47.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $98,497 | $47.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,775 | $49.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,087 | $50.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,953 | $53.34 |
Median Salary Position
0.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Virginia Beach
In Virginia Beach, VA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $12,698 (2026 est.). At $103,775, the local median is 0.81% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Virginia Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Virginia Beach Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Virginia Beach median: $103,775/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Virginia Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $105,355 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +0.81% more |
Dental Hygienists in Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $103,775 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.81% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 1.50% below the Virginia state average of $105,355.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Virginia Beach has a cost of living 2.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Virginia Beach, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.941 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $103,775 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,957 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.1% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$79,270
2025 BLS Actual
$98,890
2026 Current Est.
$103,775
2020–2027 Growth
+37.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Virginia Beach (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $79,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,890 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,775 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,902 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 24.8% from $79,270 (2020) to $98,890 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,902 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,632 (37.38%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach 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) | $98,255 – $98,497 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $98,497 – $103,775 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,775 – $105,087 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,087 – $110,953 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Virginia Beach
In Virginia Beach, there are currently about 940 dental hygienists employed, contributing to a robust job market in the region. This number is significant, especially considering the cost-of-living index stands at 97.941, which is below the national average, potentially enhancing the purchasing power of these salaries. Among various employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) often offer the most attractive compensation packages, with benefits such as production-based bonuses and sign-on incentives. The disparity in dental hygienist pay can stem from factors like work schedules (four-day weeks versus five-day schedules), differing benefits between private practices and DSOs, and specific service types like pediatric or periodontal specialty offices. To maximize earning potential in Virginia Beach, professionals should consider pursuing opportunities within DSOs or practices that offer comprehensive benefits packages, as this can significantly influence overall compensation and job satisfaction in a competitive market.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
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 $98,890 for dental hygienistsin the Virginia Beach 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