Dental Hygienist Pay

Casper vs Powell: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Casper, WY and Powell, WY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Casper, WY
$95,097
$45.72/hr
Powell, WY
$91,136
$43.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCasper, WYPowell, WY
Median Salary$95,097$91,136
Hourly Rate$45.72$43.81
Entry Level (P10)$63,783$75,215
25th Percentile$63,908$80,541
75th Percentile$102,086$99,656
Top Earner (P90)$104,846$112,591
Total Employed706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Casper ($95,097) and Powell ($91,136) dental hygienist salaries.CasperPowellMedian Salary$95,097$91,136Entry Level (P10)$63,783$75,215Top Earner (P90)$104,846$112,591US Median $102,946

Verdict

Casper, WY offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Powell.

The salary gap between Casper and Powell is $3,961 (4.35%). Casper's median is -7.62% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Casper spans $41,063,Powell spans $37,376. Casper has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Casper
P10 (Entry)$63,783
P25$63,908
Median$95,097
P75$102,086
P90 (Top)$104,846
Powell
P10 (Entry)$75,215
P25$80,541
Median$91,136
P75$99,656
P90 (Top)$112,591

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Casper ($101,351 effective) pays 6.54% more than Powell ($95,132 effective).

Casper
Nominal: $95,097
CoL Index: 93.829
Adjusted: $101,351
Powell
Nominal: $91,136
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $95,132

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Casper if…

  • Higher median salary ($95,097/year)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,351)
  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Choose Powell if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($112,591)
  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Casper grew 27.4% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 14.7% growth in Powell over the same period.

Casper, WY

+27.4%

$71,130 (2020) → $90,620 (2025)

Powell, WY

+14.7%

$75,724 (2024) → $86,846 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Casper or Powell?

Casper has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $95,097/year, compared to Powell at $91,136/year — a difference of $3,961 (4.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Casper and Powell?

Casper dental hygienists earn $45.72/hr while Powell hygienists earn $43.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Casper to Powell as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Casper and Powell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Casper = $101,351, Powell = $95,132), job availability (70 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Casper vs Powell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $63,783 in Casper and $75,215 in Powell. The Powell area offers higher starting salaries.
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