Dental Hygienist Salary in Williston, ND: $90,373 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Williston, ND earns a median $90,373/year (≈ $43.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Williston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $98,232 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $90,373 in 2026, the dental hygienist salary in Williston, North Dakota, reflects the area's unique job market dynamics. While this figure is approximately 12.21% lower than the national median of $102,946, it is important to consider the local context, including the full salary range which spans from $72,755 at the lowest percentile (P10) to $111,902 at the highest (P90). Data indicates that only seven dental hygienists are currently employed in Williston, suggesting a relatively small workforce. This limited number may signify a less saturated job market, potentially offering promising career opportunities for incoming professionals looking to establish themselves in the region.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($82,869) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,755 | $34.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,693 | $37.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,373 | $43.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,644 | $47.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,902 | $53.80 |
Median Salary Position
12.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williston
In Williston, ND, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,147 (2026 est.). At $90,373, the local median is 12.21% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Williston Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Williston median: $90,373/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $94,731 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -12.21% less |
Dental Hygienists in Williston, ND earn a median of $90,373 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.21% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.60% below the North Dakota state average of $94,731.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williston has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Williston, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $90,373 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,232 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$69,948
2025 BLS Actual
$86,119
2026 Current Est.
$90,373
2020–2027 Growth
+35.6%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Williston (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $69,948 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,074 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,255 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,902 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,119 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,373 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,838 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williston metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 23.1% from $69,948 (2020) to $86,119 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,838 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,890 (35.58%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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) | $72,755 – $78,693 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,693 – $90,373 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,373 – $98,644 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,644 – $111,902 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Williston
The local job market presents both challenges and advantages for dental hygienists, influenced by a cost-of-living index of 92, which is below the national average. This suggests that although salaries may deviate from national benchmarks, the purchasing power in Williston remains competitive. Notably, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen tend to offer higher wages and comprehensive benefits, including sign-on bonuses, which can enhance overall compensation. In contrast, private practices might pay less and often lack health insurance benefits. Factors such as production-based bonuses tied to patient retention and varying work schedules play crucial roles in determining income levels. For dental hygienists in Williston ND, maximizing their pay could involve targeting employment with DSOs, seeking opportunities that offer flexible schedules, and prioritizing practices that value long-term patient relationships.
More salary data for Williston, ND:
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 $86,119 for dental hygienistsin the Williston 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 Williston 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