Dental Hygienist Salary in Colorado: $118,659 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $118,659/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $113,009 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boulder ($130,000), Colorado Springs ($118,410), Centennial ($114,802).
In 2026, the average median salary for dental hygienists in Colorado is projected to be $118,659, surpassing the national median of $102,946 by 15.3%. This disparity indicates a strong employment landscape for dental hygienists in the state. Boulder offers the highest salaries at $136,422, while Pueblo presents the lowest at $103,576, showcasing a salary gap of $32,846. Variations in pay among cities can be attributed to factors like cost of living, demand for dental services, and the presence of specialized dental practices. To practice in Colorado, dental hygienists must meet state licensing requirements, which include completing an accredited program and passing the National Board Dental Hygiene Examination. The scope of practice laws also allow dental hygienists to perform a variety of clinical tasks independently, which can enhance earning potential. With a projected growth rate of 4.94%, the demand for dental hygienists in Colorado reflects an ongoing need for dental care as the population increases. As of now, there are 4,159 dental hygienists employed across the state, highlighting a significant career opportunity within this sector. Cities like Colorado Springs at $124,259, Centennial at $120,473, Denver at $119,380, and Arvada at $118,283 are also showing positive salary trends for the profession.
Colorado Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Colorado: $75,851 (lowest entry-level) to $163,428 (highest top earner)
Colorado vs National Average
Colorado dental hygienists earn 15.26% more than the national median (+$15,713/year difference).
Colorado Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Colorado range from $102,124 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $134,303 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $118,659. The Colorado median is $15,713 above the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $57.05/hr. Approximately 4,159 dental hygienists are employed across 33 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$88,807
2025 BLS Actual
$113,073
2026 Current Est.
$118,659
2020–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Colorado (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $88,807 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,301 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,833 | Actual |
| 2023 | $102,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $107,377 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,073 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,659 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,521 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 27.3% from $88,807 (2020) to $113,073 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,521 by 2027 — a total increase of $35,714 (40.22%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado
Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pueblo | $103,576 |
| Grand Junction | $103,796 |
| Golden | $106,324 |
| Evans | $106,984 |
| Louisville | $107,610 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Colorado
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $136,422 | 105.202 | $129,676 |
| Colorado Springs | $124,259 | 100.707 | $123,387 |
| Greeley | $115,518 | 100.176 | $115,315 |
| Centennial | $120,473 | 105 | $114,736 |
| Pueblo | $103,576 | 91.762 | $112,875 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $102,124 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $118,659 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $134,303 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Colorado
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $136,422 |
| 2 | Colorado Springs | $124,259 |
| 3 | Centennial | $120,473 |
| 4 | Denver | $119,380 |
| 5 | Arvada | $118,283 |
| 6 | Thornton | $117,331 |
| 7 | Aurora | $116,758 |
| 8 | Westminster | $116,164 |
| 9 | Lakewood | $115,604 |
| 10 | Greeley | $115,518 |
| 11 | Parker | $114,504 |
| 12 | Erie | $114,297 |
| 13 | Windsor | $114,011 |
| 14 | Castle Rock | $113,791 |
| 15 | Broomfield | $113,754 |
| 16 | Longmont | $113,718 |
| 17 | Englewood | $112,846 |
| 18 | Commerce City | $112,062 |
| 19 | Fort Collins | $111,919 |
| 20 | Lafayette | $111,797 |
| 21 | Wheat Ridge | $111,151 |
| 22 | Brighton | $110,111 |
| 23 | Littleton | $109,744 |
| 24 | Fountain | $109,681 |
| 25 | Northglenn | $109,574 |
| 26 | Loveland | $109,237 |
| 27 | Steamboat Springs | $108,930 |
| 28 | Durango | $108,244 |
| 29 | Louisville | $107,610 |
| 30 | Evans | $106,984 |
| 31 | Golden | $106,324 |
| 32 | Grand Junction | $103,796 |
| 33 | Pueblo | $103,576 |
More Colorado Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore dental hygienist hourly pay in Colorado cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Compare Cities in Colorado
View all comparisons →Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Colorado in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Colorado?
How does Colorado dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Colorado?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Colorado?
Which Colorado city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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