Dental Hygienist Salary in Toms River, NJ: $116,924 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Toms River, NJ earns a median $116,924/year (≈ $56.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Toms River's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $101,497 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, dental hygienists in Toms River, NJ, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $116,924, reflecting a competitive position compared to the national median of $102,946. The salary range for this role spans from $93,581 at the 10th percentile to $144,971 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variance in compensation based on experience, skills, and the type of employer. These figures are derived from local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost variations, aligning well with the relatively high cost of living index in Toms River, which stands at 115.2. This favorable pay scale positions Toms River as a promising location for dental hygienists looking to establish or advance their careers.
About the Toms River Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($97,839) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $93,581 | $44.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,980 | $49.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,924 | $56.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $126,652 | $60.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $144,971 | $69.70 |
Median Salary Position
13.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Toms River
In Toms River, NJ, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,390 (2026 est.). At $116,924, the local median is 13.58% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Toms River: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Toms River Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Toms River median: $116,924/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Toms River Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $118,584 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | +13.58% more |
Dental Hygienists in Toms River, NJ earn a median of $116,924 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.58% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 1.40% below the New Jersey state average of $118,584.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Toms River has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Toms River, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $116,924 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $101,497 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$83,792
2025 BLS Actual
$111,420
2026 Current Est.
$116,924
2020–2027 Growth
+46.4%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Toms River (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $83,792 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,086 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,786 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,541 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,911 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,924 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $122,700 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Toms River metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 33.0% from $83,792 (2020) to $111,420 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $122,700 by 2027 — a total increase of $38,908 (46.43%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Toms River 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) | $93,581 – $101,980 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,980 – $116,924 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,924 – $126,652 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $126,652 – $144,971 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Toms River
The job market for dental hygienists in Toms River is anchored by the employment of 17 professionals currently in the area, offering a sense of stability amid local economic conditions. However, with a cost-of-living index that exceeds the national average, professionals must consider the impact on their purchasing power. Employment opportunities vary, with Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Pacific Dental often providing the most competitive pay and benefits, including sign-on bonuses for new graduates. The disparity in salaries can also be influenced by the type of practice—private offices may lack comprehensive health benefits compared to larger groups, contributing to the spread in earnings. To maximize pay in this specific market, dental hygienists should target employment with DSOs, consider their work schedule (opting for 4-day week positions), and negotiate bonuses related to performance metrics such as retention rates for periodontal care.
More salary data for Toms River, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Toms River?
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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 $111,420 for dental hygienistsin the Toms River 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 Toms River 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