Dental Hygienist Salary in Clinton, MS: $81,118 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Clinton, MS earns a median $81,118/year (≈ $39.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Clinton's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $94,653 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.1% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $81,118 in 2026, dental hygienists in Clinton, Mississippi, earn significantly less than their counterparts nationwide, who will average $102,946. The local salary range showcases variation, starting at $66,615 (P10) and reaching up to $96,676 (P90), reflecting the entry-level to higher-earning positions within the dental hygiene field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living considerations, highlight a key factor: the lower cost of living in Clinton, which has a cost-of-living index of 85.7. As a result, while the salaries may appear lower in comparison to national statistics, the purchasing power for dental hygienists may still remain relatively strong in the local market.
About the Clinton Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($71,723) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,615 | $32.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,190 | $34.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,118 | $39.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,511 | $41.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,676 | $46.48 |
Median Salary Position
21.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clinton
In Clinton, MS, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,061 (2026 est.). At $81,118, the local median is 21.2% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clinton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clinton Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Clinton median: $81,118/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clinton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $88,267 | -8.10% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -21.20% less |
Dental Hygienists in Clinton, MS earn a median of $81,118 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.20% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 8.10% below the Mississippi state average of $88,267.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clinton has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clinton, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $81,118 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,653 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$52,407
2025 BLS Actual
$77,299
2026 Current Est.
$81,118
2020–2027 Growth
+62.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Clinton (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $52,407 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,671 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,818 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,521 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,638 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,299 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,118 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,125 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clinton metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 47.5% from $52,407 (2020) to $77,299 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,125 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,718 (62.43%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clinton 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) | $66,615 – $71,190 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,190 – $81,118 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,118 – $86,511 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,511 – $96,676 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Clinton
In terms of the local job market, Clinton employs about five dental hygienists, indicating a rather limited yet competitive environment. The lower-than-average cost of living presents both opportunities and challenges for these professionals. For example, solo dental practices and smaller multi-doctor group practices may often offer less competitive salaries compared to larger Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland or Pacific Dental, which frequently provide more comprehensive benefits, including sign-on bonuses. The variation between salaries can also be attributed to practice types and compensation structures, where production-based bonuses related to patient retention and care can significantly enhance earnings. To maximize their pay, dental hygienists in Clinton should consider seeking employment with DSOs or larger practices, as well as staying informed about opportunities for additional certifications and skill enhancements that can make them more valuable to potential employers in the area.
More salary data for Clinton, MS:
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 $77,299 for dental hygienistsin the Clinton 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 Clinton 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