Dental Hygienist Salary in Brighton, CO: $110,111 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Brighton, CO earns a median $110,111/year (≈ $52.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Brighton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $104,868 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the dental hygienist salary in Brighton, CO, is projected to reach a median of $110,111 annually. This figure exceeds the national median of $102,946 by approximately 6.96%. With salaries ranging from $88,457 at the 10th percentile to $140,290 at the 90th percentile, Brighton offers competitive compensation amid a robust market for dental hygienists. The data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for local cost of living, reflects the growing demand for dental hygiene professionals in the city, attributed to factors like the local population's increasing dental health awareness and the expansion of dental practices.
About the Brighton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($107,733) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $88,457 | $42.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $95,741 | $46.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $110,111 | $52.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,259 | $58.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,290 | $67.44 |
Median Salary Position
6.96% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brighton
In Brighton, CO, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,833 (2026 est.). At $110,111, the local median is 6.96% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brighton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brighton Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Brighton median: $110,111/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brighton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $115,542 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +6.96% more |
Dental Hygienists in Brighton, CO earn a median of $110,111 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.96% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 4.70% below the Colorado state average of $115,542.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brighton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brighton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $110,111 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $104,868 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$84,692
2025 BLS Actual
$104,928
2026 Current Est.
$110,111
2020–2027 Growth
+36.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Brighton (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $84,692 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,886 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,334 | Actual |
| 2023 | $97,932 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,627 | Actual |
| 2025 | $104,928 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $110,111 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $115,551 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brighton metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 23.9% from $84,692 (2020) to $104,928 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $115,551 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,859 (36.44%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brighton 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) | $88,457 – $95,741 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $95,741 – $110,111 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $110,111 – $122,259 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,259 – $140,290 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Brighton
Currently, there are seven dental hygienists employed in Brighton, indicative of a niche market that may offer unique opportunities for job seekers. However, the cost-of-living index stands at 105, indicating that while salaries are competitive, housing and expenses may be higher than the national average. To maximize dental hygienist pay in Brighton, professionals should consider positions within Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen, which typically offer more comprehensive benefits and often include signing bonuses for new hires. The disparity in pay can be influenced by various factors, including whether a practice offers production-based bonuses or superior benefits compared to solo practices, which may not provide health insurance. Emphasizing specialization or seeking four-day work schedules can also positively impact income potential in this evolving dental market.
More salary data for Brighton, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Brighton, CO in 2026?
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Brighton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Brighton?
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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 $104,928 for dental hygienistsin the Brighton 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 Brighton 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