Dental Hygienist Pay

Cincinnati vs Upper Arlington: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Upper Arlington, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$108,025
$51.93/hr
Upper Arlington, OH
$84,105
$40.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHUpper Arlington, OH
Median Salary$108,025$84,105
Hourly Rate$51.93$40.43
Entry Level (P10)$85,841$66,688
25th Percentile$98,937$72,547
75th Percentile$108,949$92,883
Top Earner (P90)$137,986$103,044
Total Employed1,7009
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($108,025) and Upper Arlington ($84,105) dental hygienist salaries.CincinnatiUpper ArlingtonMedian Salary$108,025$84,105Entry Level (P10)$85,841$66,688Top Earner (P90)$137,986$103,044US Median $102,946

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Upper Arlington.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Upper Arlington is $23,920 (28.44%). Cincinnati's median is +4.93% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $52,145,Upper Arlington spans $36,356. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$85,841
P25$98,937
Median$108,025
P75$108,949
P90 (Top)$137,986
Upper Arlington
P10 (Entry)$66,688
P25$72,547
Median$84,105
P75$92,883
P90 (Top)$103,044

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($113,269 effective) pays 22.15% more than Upper Arlington ($92,729 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $108,025
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $113,269
Upper Arlington
Nominal: $84,105
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $92,729

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($108,025/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,986)
  • Larger job market (1,700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $113,269)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Upper Arlington if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Cincinnati grew 39.3% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 21.9% growth in Upper Arlington over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+39.3%

$73,880 (2020) → $102,940 (2025)

Upper Arlington, OH

+21.9%

$65,774 (2020) → $80,146 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Cincinnati or Upper Arlington?

Cincinnati has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $108,025/year, compared to Upper Arlington at $84,105/year — a difference of $23,920 (28.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Upper Arlington?

Cincinnati dental hygienists earn $51.93/hr while Upper Arlington hygienists earn $40.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Upper Arlington as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Upper Arlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $113,269, Upper Arlington = $92,729), job availability (1,700 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Cincinnati vs Upper Arlington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $85,841 in Cincinnati and $66,688 in Upper Arlington. The Cincinnati area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov