Dental Hygienist Salary in Lewiston, ME: $101,006 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Lewiston, ME earns a median $101,006/year (≈ $48.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Lewiston's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $101,412 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median salary for dental hygienists in Lewiston, Maine, is $101,006. When compared to the national average of $102,946, this reflects a slight decline of 1.88% in real purchasing power due to the local cost of living index, which sits at 99.6, just below the national average. Dental hygienists can expect to earn between $78,289 at the 10th percentile and $125,334 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay scale in the area. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional pricing. With a relatively small employment pool of only seven dental hygienists in Lewiston, job seekers may find opportunities are limited, but competition remains manageable.
About the Lewiston Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($88,832) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,289 | $37.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,717 | $41.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $101,006 | $48.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,105 | $52.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,334 | $60.26 |
Median Salary Position
1.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston
In Lewiston, ME, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,045 (2026 est.). At $101,006, the local median is 1.88% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lewiston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lewiston Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Lewiston median: $101,006/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lewiston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $102,544 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -1.88% less |
Dental Hygienists in Lewiston, ME earn a median of $101,006 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.88% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.50% below the Maine state average of $102,544.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lewiston has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lewiston, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $101,006 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,412 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$65,340
2025 BLS Actual
$96,251
2026 Current Est.
$101,006
2020–2027 Growth
+62.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lewiston (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $65,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,567 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,827 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,251 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $101,006 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,995 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lewiston metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 47.3% from $65,340 (2020) to $96,251 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,995 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,655 (62.22%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston 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) | $78,289 – $85,717 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,717 – $101,006 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $101,006 – $110,105 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,105 – $125,334 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Lewiston
The local job market for dental hygienists in Lewiston reflects several key dynamics that influence compensation. With only seven professionals currently employed, this niche market may provide unique opportunities, albeit with challenges. The cost-of-living index suggests that while salaries may seem competitive on paper, take-home purchasing power could be tighter than in other regions with higher wages. Employment with larger dental service organizations (DSOs) could yield higher earnings, especially those offering production-based bonuses tied to patient retention and recall. Furthermore, applicants might want to consider work schedules—four-day weeks can lead to better hourly pay than standard five-day commitments. Maximizing earnings in this market may involve looking for positions that include comprehensive benefits, often more prevalent in DSOs compared to solo practices. Leveraging networking opportunities through organizations like ADHA and staying informed about local hiring trends can aid in securing higher dental hygienist pay in Lewiston, ME.
More salary data for Lewiston, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $96,251 for dental hygienistsin the Lewiston 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 Lewiston 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