Dental Hygienist Salary in Burien, WA: $128,423 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Burien, WA earns a median $128,423/year (≈ $61.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Burien's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $119,574 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burien, Washington, the dental hygienist salary in 2026 is projected to be a robust $128,423, significantly exceeding the national median of $102,946. This healthy pay reflects both a focused local employment landscape, where only 8 dental hygienists are currently working, and a favorable salary range that spans from $100,993 at the 10th percentile up to $169,832 at the 90th percentile. The data reveals a local market that, while limited in workforce, shows potential for growth within this specialty, particularly in a region with a cost-of-living index of 107.4, indicating a demand for skilled professionals who can provide valuable contributions to dental health services.
About the Burien Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($123,942) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,993 | $48.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,666 | $53.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $128,423 | $61.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,470 | $69.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,832 | $81.65 |
Median Salary Position
24.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burien
In Burien, WA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,839 (2026 est.). At $128,423, the local median is 24.75% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burien: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burien Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Burien median: $128,423/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burien Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $129,069 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +24.75% more |
Dental Hygienists in Burien, WA earn a median of $128,423 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.75% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 0.50% below the Washington state average of $129,069.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burien has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burien, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $128,423 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $119,574 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$97,897
2025 BLS Actual
$122,378
2026 Current Est.
$128,423
2020–2027 Growth
+37.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Burien (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $97,897 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,106 | Actual |
| 2023 | $123,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,784 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,378 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $128,423 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,768 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burien metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 25.0% from $97,897 (2020) to $122,378 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,768 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,871 (37.66%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burien 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) | $100,993 – $110,666 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,666 – $128,423 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $128,423 – $145,470 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,470 – $169,832 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Burien
Considering the local job market's dynamics, there are various factors that affect dental hygienist pay in Burien, WA. The presence of established private practices and the influx of larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) can create competition for talent, often resulting in more appealing benefits, including sign-on bonuses for new hires. Notably, employers in specialized practices such as periodontal or pediatric care may offer higher salaries compared to traditional offices, reflecting their greater focus on specific patient needs. Balancing workdays and negotiating production-based bonuses could also substantially impact compensation, particularly in practices that emphasize retentive care and patient recalls. For dental hygienists in Burien, understanding the nuances of potential employers could be key to maximizing earnings in a rapidly evolving market.
More salary data for Burien, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Burien?
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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 $122,378 for dental hygienistsin the Burien 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
Salary data for Burien is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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