Dental Hygienist Pay

Augusta vs Douglasville: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Augusta, GA and Douglasville, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, GA
$83,784
$40.29/hr
Douglasville, GA
$82,847
$39.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GADouglasville, GA
Median Salary$83,784$82,847
Hourly Rate$40.29$39.84
Entry Level (P10)$66,249$68,435
25th Percentile$78,096$71,841
75th Percentile$95,852$91,799
Top Earner (P90)$99,525$105,244
Total Employed3706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($83,784) and Douglasville ($82,847) dental hygienist salaries.AugustaDouglasvilleMedian Salary$83,784$82,847Entry Level (P10)$66,249$68,435Top Earner (P90)$99,525$105,244US Median $102,946

Verdict

Augusta, GA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Douglasville.

The salary gap between Augusta and Douglasville is $937 (1.13%). Augusta's median is -18.61% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $33,276,Douglasville spans $36,809. Douglasville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$66,249
P25$78,096
Median$83,784
P75$95,852
P90 (Top)$99,525
Douglasville
P10 (Entry)$68,435
P25$71,841
Median$82,847
P75$91,799
P90 (Top)$105,244

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($91,166 effective) pays 2.45% more than Douglasville ($88,987 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $83,784
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $91,166
Douglasville
Nominal: $82,847
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $88,987

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,784/year)
  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $91,166)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Douglasville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($105,244)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Augusta grew 34.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 20.0% growth in Douglasville over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+34.8%

$59,220 (2020) → $79,840 (2025)

Douglasville, GA

+20.0%

$65,796 (2020) → $78,947 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Augusta or Douglasville?

Augusta has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $83,784/year, compared to Douglasville at $82,847/year — a difference of $937 (1.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Douglasville?

Augusta dental hygienists earn $40.29/hr while Douglasville hygienists earn $39.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Douglasville as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Douglasville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $91,166, Douglasville = $88,987), job availability (370 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Augusta vs Douglasville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $66,249 in Augusta and $68,435 in Douglasville. The Douglasville area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

SCSarah Chen

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.

Clinically reviewed by Amanda Doucette, RDHData verified by David Oh

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.94% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov