Dental Hygienist Salary in Bellevue, NE: $91,214 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Bellevue, NE earns a median $91,214/year (≈ $43.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Bellevue's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $99,687 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in Bellevue, Nebraska, is $91,214, which reflects a competitive position in the local job market yet falls short when compared to the national median of $102,946. Dental hygienist pay in Bellevue NE ranges from $70,038 at the 10th percentile to $118,975 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant variability based on experience, skills, and specific employment settings. These salary estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and take into account regional price parities, making them reflective of local economic conditions. As Bellevue continues to develop, the demand for qualified dental hygienists is likely to grow, potentially influencing salary ranges positively in the near future.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($85,098) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,038 | $33.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,612 | $37.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,214 | $43.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,332 | $49.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,975 | $57.20 |
Median Salary Position
11.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellevue
In Bellevue, NE, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,937 (2026 est.). At $91,214, the local median is 11.4% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellevue: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellevue Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Bellevue median: $91,214/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellevue Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $94,229 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -11.40% less |
Dental Hygienists in Bellevue, NE earn a median of $91,214 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.40% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 3.20% below the Nebraska state average of $94,229.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellevue has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellevue, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $91,214 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,687 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$71,012
2025 BLS Actual
$86,920
2026 Current Est.
$91,214
2020–2027 Growth
+34.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Bellevue (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $71,012 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,311 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,941 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,559 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,711 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,214 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,720 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellevue metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 22.4% from $71,012 (2020) to $86,920 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,720 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,708 (34.79%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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) | $70,038 – $77,612 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,612 – $91,214 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,214 – $102,332 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,332 – $118,975 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Bellevue
With only 15 dental hygienists currently employed in Bellevue, the job market remains relatively small but stable, especially considering the area's favorable cost-of-living index of 91.5. This low index suggests that take-home pay may stretch further, providing practical benefits for those working in private dental practices, group practices, or Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen. Notably, the disparity between lower and higher wages can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the structure of employment contracts, production-based bonuses, and work schedules. Those seeking to maximize their dental hygienist salary in Bellevue should actively pursue opportunities with DSOs, as they often offer sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits that can increase overall compensation. Understanding the specific employers within the area and how their compensation structures work can provide valuable insights for new graduates or experienced professionals looking to enhance their earnings in this market.
More salary data for Bellevue, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $86,920 for dental hygienistsin the Bellevue 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 Bellevue 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