Dental Hygienist Salary in Idaho: $100,029 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Idaho's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $100,029/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Idaho sits at BEA RPP 95.3 (5% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $104,962 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Coeur d'Alene ($99,650), Boise ($98,654), Lewiston ($98,450).
In Idaho, dental hygienists can expect an average median salary of $100,030 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $102,946, reflecting a gap of 2.8%. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with Coeur d'Alene offering the highest average at $104,573, while Mountain Home presents the lowest at $94,173. This disparity is influenced by factors such as the cost of living, demand for dental services, and local economic conditions. In terms of job market dynamics, Idaho's dental hygienist employment is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.94%, indicating a steady demand for professionals in this field. Factors contributing to this growth include the increasing awareness of oral health and an aging population that requires more dental care. State licensing requirements and scope of practice laws in Idaho allow hygienists to perform a variety of tasks, which can enhance their job stability and role in dental practices. Major cities like Boise ($103,528), Lewiston ($103,313), Nampa ($102,744), and Caldwell ($100,662) also offer competitive salaries, further demonstrating the local demand for skilled dental hygienists. As the profession evolves, opportunities for growth and advancement continue to expand in Idaho.
Idaho Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Idaho: $72,578 (lowest entry-level) to $136,710 (highest top earner)
Idaho vs National Average
Idaho dental hygienists earn 2.83% less than the national median ($-2,917/year difference).
Idaho Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Idaho range from $89,127 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $116,955 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $100,029. The Idaho median is $2,917 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $48.09/hr. Approximately 1,855 dental hygienists are employed across 16 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$76,116
2025 BLS Actual
$95,321
2026 Current Est.
$100,029
2020–2027 Growth
+37.9%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Idaho (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $76,116 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,758 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,687 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,099 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,422 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,321 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,029 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,971 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Idaho metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 25.2% from $76,116 (2020) to $95,321 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,971 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,855 (37.91%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Idaho 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 Idaho
Lowest Paying Cities in Idaho
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mountain Home | $94,173 |
| Eagle | $95,109 |
| Post Falls | $96,000 |
| Kuna | $96,590 |
| Moscow | $97,380 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Idaho
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Idaho cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston | $103,313 | 91.16 | $113,332 |
| Pocatello | $97,657 | 88.906 | $109,843 |
| Boise | $103,528 | 95.3 | $108,634 |
| Nampa | $102,744 | 95.3 | $107,811 |
| Coeur d'Alene | $104,573 | 98.293 | $106,389 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Idaho
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $89,127 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $100,029 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $116,955 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Idaho metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 16 Cities in Idaho
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coeur d'Alene | $104,573 |
| 2 | Boise | $103,528 |
| 3 | Lewiston | $103,313 |
| 4 | Nampa | $102,744 |
| 5 | Caldwell | $100,662 |
| 6 | Idaho Falls | $100,428 |
| 7 | Meridian | $100,250 |
| 8 | Boise City | $99,326 |
| 9 | Rexburg | $98,938 |
| 10 | Twin Falls | $97,668 |
| 11 | Pocatello | $97,657 |
| 12 | Moscow | $97,380 |
| 13 | Kuna | $96,590 |
| 14 | Post Falls | $96,000 |
| 15 | Eagle | $95,109 |
| 16 | Mountain Home | $94,173 |
More Idaho 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 Idaho in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Idaho?
How does Idaho dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Idaho?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Idaho?
Which Idaho 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 Idaho. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 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