Dental Hygienist Pay

Deerfield Beach vs Tampa: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Deerfield Beach, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Deerfield Beach, FL
$94,524
$45.44/hr
Tampa, FL
$100,606
$48.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDeerfield Beach, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$94,524$100,606
Hourly Rate$45.44$48.37
Entry Level (P10)$72,011$82,945
25th Percentile$79,784$88,160
75th Percentile$105,465$102,421
Top Earner (P90)$121,961$103,880
Total Employed121,670
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Deerfield Beach ($94,524) and Tampa ($100,606) dental hygienist salaries.Deerfield BeachTampaMedian Salary$94,524$100,606Entry Level (P10)$72,011$82,945Top Earner (P90)$121,961$103,880US Median $102,946

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Deerfield Beach.

The salary gap between Deerfield Beach and Tampa is $6,082 (6.43%). Tampa's median is -2.27% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Deerfield Beach spans $49,950,Tampa spans $20,935. Deerfield Beach has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Deerfield Beach
P10 (Entry)$72,011
P25$79,784
Median$94,524
P75$105,465
P90 (Top)$121,961
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$82,945
P25$88,160
Median$100,606
P75$102,421
P90 (Top)$103,880

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($99,719 effective) pays 6.34% more than Deerfield Beach ($93,774 effective).

Deerfield Beach
Nominal: $94,524
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $93,774
Tampa
Nominal: $100,606
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $99,719

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Deerfield Beach if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($121,961)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($100,606/year)
  • Larger job market (1,670 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,719)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Deerfield Beach grew 30.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 25.6% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Deerfield Beach, FL

+30.8%

$68,840 (2020) → $90,074 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+25.6%

$76,360 (2020) → $95,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Deerfield Beach or Tampa?

Tampa has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $100,606/year, compared to Deerfield Beach at $94,524/year — a difference of $6,082 (6.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Deerfield Beach and Tampa?

Deerfield Beach dental hygienists earn $45.44/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $48.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Deerfield Beach to Tampa as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Deerfield Beach and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Deerfield Beach = $93,774, Tampa = $99,719), job availability (12 vs 1,670 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Deerfield Beach vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $72,011 in Deerfield Beach and $82,945 in Tampa. The Tampa 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