Dental Hygienist Salary in Montana: $103,972 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $103,972/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $108,079 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bozeman ($104,650), Billings ($99,410), Helena ($98,200).
In 2026, dental hygienists in Montana are projected to earn an average median salary of $103,972, slightly above the national median of $102,946, reflecting a 1.0% increase. The highest-paying city in Montana is Bozeman, where salaries average $109,820, while the lowest is Kalispell at $98,398, indicating a salary gap of $11,422. This disparity may be influenced by local demand, cost of living, and the concentration of dental practices. Montana has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can affect job opportunities and salaries. For instance, the demand for dental hygienists is projected to grow at a rate of 4.94% annually, driven by an increasing population and heightened awareness of oral health. The total number of employed dental hygienists in the state is 581, signifying a stable job market. Major cities with projected salaries include Billings at $104,321, Helena at $103,051, Missoula at $102,894, and Butte at $100,147. As dental hygiene professionals assess their career paths, understanding these regional salary variations and market trends can aid in making informed decisions.
Montana Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $75,365 (lowest entry-level) to $127,781 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana dental hygienists earn 1.00% more than the national median (+$1,026/year difference).
Montana Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Montana range from $88,065 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $109,227 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $103,972. The Montana median is $1,026 above the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $49.98/hr. Approximately 581 dental hygienists are employed across 7 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$78,256
2025 BLS Actual
$99,078
2026 Current Est.
$103,972
2020–2027 Growth
+39.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Montana (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $78,256 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,665 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,143 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,699 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $99,078 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,972 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $109,108 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 26.6% from $78,256 (2020) to $99,078 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $109,108 by 2027 — a total increase of $30,852 (39.42%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana 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 Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kalispell | $98,398 |
| Great Falls | $99,126 |
| Butte | $100,147 |
| Missoula | $102,894 |
| Helena | $103,051 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $104,321 | 93.526 | $111,542 |
| Helena | $103,051 | 95.675 | $107,709 |
| Bozeman | $109,820 | 102.51 | $107,131 |
| Missoula | $102,894 | 96.445 | $106,687 |
| Butte | $100,147 | 96.2 | $104,103 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $88,065 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $103,972 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $109,227 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Montana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Montana?
How does Montana dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Montana?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Montana?
Which Montana 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 Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 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