Dental Hygienist Salary in Nebraska: $97,982 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $97,982/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $107,084 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lincoln ($95,100), Omaha ($94,170), Hastings ($87,574).
In Nebraska, dental hygienists can anticipate an average median salary of $97,981 in 2026, which is approximately 4.8% lower than the national median of $102,946. The salary range across cities shows marked variation; Lincoln leads with $99,798, while North Platte offers $87,591, creating a gap of $12,207. Factors influencing this disparity include the cost of living, demand for dental services, and the concentration of dental practices in urban versus rural areas. The state of Nebraska has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that impact the role and responsibilities of dental hygienists. These professionals in Nebraska can expect a steady job market, with a projected annual growth rate of 4.94% through 2026, indicating an increasing demand for services. Major cities like Omaha and Hastings offer salaries of $98,822 and $91,900, respectively, reflecting the geographic disparities in employment opportunities. As an aspiring dental hygienist in Nebraska, understanding these dynamics can help you make informed decisions about your career path and potential earnings.
Nebraska Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $68,554 (lowest entry-level) to $118,975 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska dental hygienists earn 4.82% less than the national median ($-4,964/year difference).
Nebraska Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Nebraska range from $76,796 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $103,500 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $97,982. The Nebraska median is $4,964 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $47.10/hr. Approximately 982 dental hygienists are employed across 13 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$73,060
2025 BLS Actual
$93,369
2026 Current Est.
$97,982
2020–2027 Growth
+40.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Nebraska (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $73,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,509 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,213 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,032 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,669 | Actual |
| 2025 | $93,369 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,982 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $102,822 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 27.8% from $73,060 (2020) to $93,369 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $102,822 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,762 (40.74%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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 Nebraska
Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| North Platte | $87,591 |
| Papillion | $87,620 |
| La Vista | $87,712 |
| Norfolk | $87,727 |
| Columbus | $87,960 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | $99,798 | 91.581 | $108,972 |
| Omaha | $98,822 | 91.911 | $107,519 |
| Grand Island | $89,892 | 86.657 | $103,733 |
| Hastings | $91,900 | 91.5 | $100,437 |
| Fremont | $91,403 | 91.5 | $99,894 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $76,796 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $97,982 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $103,500 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 13 Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lincoln | $99,798 |
| 2 | Omaha | $98,822 |
| 3 | Hastings | $91,900 |
| 4 | Fremont | $91,403 |
| 5 | Bellevue | $91,214 |
| 6 | Kearney | $90,709 |
| 7 | Scottsbluff | $90,396 |
| 8 | Grand Island | $89,892 |
| 9 | Columbus | $87,960 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $87,727 |
| 11 | La Vista | $87,712 |
| 12 | Papillion | $87,620 |
| 13 | North Platte | $87,591 |
More Nebraska 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 Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Nebraska?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska 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 Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 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