Dental Hygienist Salary in Lorain, OH: $89,706 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Lorain, OH earns a median $89,706/year (≈ $43.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Lorain's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $98,904 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lorain, Ohio, where 12 dental hygienists are currently employed, the projected median salary stands at $89,706 for 2026. This figure is a notable indicator of the job market dynamics in the area, particularly when compared to the national median salary of $102,946. Salaries for dental hygienists in the region range from $65,516 at the 10th percentile to $112,229 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a healthy range of pay that can vary significantly based on experience and employment setting. Given the cost of living index of 90.7, which is below the national average, the local salaries suggest a balance of affordability and earnings potential that could attract professionals to this community-oriented market.
About the Lorain Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($86,075) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,516 | $31.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,981 | $37.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $89,706 | $43.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,979 | $47.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,229 | $53.96 |
Median Salary Position
12.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lorain
In Lorain, OH, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,713 (2026 est.). At $89,706, the local median is 12.86% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lorain: You'd be above the median
How Lorain Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Lorain median: $89,706/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lorain Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $88,730 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -12.86% less |
Dental Hygienists in Lorain, OH earn a median of $89,706 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.86% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.10% above the Ohio state average of $88,730.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lorain has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lorain, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $89,706 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,904 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$70,154
2025 BLS Actual
$85,483
2026 Current Est.
$89,706
2020–2027 Growth
+34.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lorain (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $70,154 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,047 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,855 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,539 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,483 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $89,706 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,137 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lorain metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 21.9% from $70,154 (2020) to $85,483 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,137 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,983 (34.19%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lorain 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) | $65,516 – $78,981 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,981 – $89,706 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $89,706 – $97,979 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,979 – $112,229 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Lorain
The dental hygienist pay in Lorain, OH, reflects a blend of local employment conditions and economic factors. With an average cost-of-living index below the national average, dental hygienists can enjoy a relatively favorable purchasing power. Among local competitors, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen frequently offer the highest wages, often supplemented by production-based bonuses and comprehensive benefits packages, which enhance total compensation compared to traditional solo practices that may lack health insurance. The disparity in earnings is also influenced by factors such as scheduling flexibility and employment terms, including sign-on bonuses for new graduates. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, targeting positions within DSOs or practices offering incentives for productive care can yield the best results in this promising market. Understanding these parameters can provide valuable insights for those asking, "How much do dental hygienists make in Lorain?"
More salary data for Lorain, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $85,483 for dental hygienistsin the Lorain 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 Lorain 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