Dental Hygienist Salary in Gillette, WY: $93,433 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Gillette, WY earns a median $93,433/year (≈ $44.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Gillette's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $97,529 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Wyoming state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Gillette, Wyoming, can expect a median annual salary of $93,433. While this figure does show a competitive landscape, it falls about 9.24% below the national median, which is projected at $102,946 for the same year. The salary range is quite broad, with the lower 10% earning around $74,134, while the upper 90% can command as much as $114,647. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, highlight not only the nominal earnings but also the real purchasing power in an area where the cost of living index stands slightly below the national average at 95.8. Given the nuances of Gillette's dental job market, prospective hygienists might find lucrative opportunities that can make the most of their earnings potential.
About the Gillette Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($83,513) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,134 | $35.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,556 | $38.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,433 | $44.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,078 | $49.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,647 | $55.11 |
Median Salary Position
9.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gillette
In Gillette, WY, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,513 (2026 est.). At $93,433, the local median is 9.24% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gillette: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gillette Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Gillette median: $93,433/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gillette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wyoming Average | $98,662 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -9.24% less |
Dental Hygienists in Gillette, WY earn a median of $93,433 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.24% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.30% below the Wyoming state average of $98,662.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gillette has a cost of living 4.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gillette, WY has a cost-of-living index of 95.8 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $93,433 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,529 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.38% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$69,458
2025 BLS Actual
$89,035
2026 Current Est.
$93,433
2020–2027 Growth
+41.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Gillette (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $69,458 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,839 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,851 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,054 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,035 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,433 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,049 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gillette metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 28.2% from $69,458 (2020) to $89,035 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,049 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,591 (41.16%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gillette 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) | $74,134 – $80,556 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,556 – $93,433 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,433 – $103,078 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,078 – $114,647 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Gillette
Currently, there are nine dental hygienists employed in Gillette, reflecting a somewhat limited job market. With the low cost-of-living index, those salaries convert to tangible purchasing power for residents. Among the different employment settings in Gillette, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) tend to offer the most competitive packages, often incorporating production-based bonuses tied to patient recall and recare retention. In contrast, private practices may not always provide comprehensive benefits, affecting overall compensation. Additionally, varying schedules, such as four-day work weeks, can also impact salaries significantly. To maximize earnings, dental hygienists in Gillette should consider opportunities within DSOs and focus on enhancing their skills related to patient management, as this can lead to higher wages and benefits in an evolving dental care market.
More salary data for Gillette, WY:
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 $89,035 for dental hygienistsin the Gillette 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 Gillette 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