Dental Hygienist Pay

College Park vs Hagerstown: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between College Park, MD and Hagerstown, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

College Park, MD
$109,839
$52.81/hr
Hagerstown, MD
$87,583
$42.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCollege Park, MDHagerstown, MD
Median Salary$109,839$87,583
Hourly Rate$52.81$42.11
Entry Level (P10)$83,005$70,572
25th Percentile$91,981$80,374
75th Percentile$122,662$102,316
Top Earner (P90)$141,101$110,502
Total Employed6170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing College Park ($109,839) and Hagerstown ($87,583) dental hygienist salaries.College ParkHagerstownMedian Salary$109,839$87,583Entry Level (P10)$83,005$70,572Top Earner (P90)$141,101$110,502US Median $102,946

Verdict

College Park, MD offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hagerstown.

The salary gap between College Park and Hagerstown is $22,256 (25.41%). College Park's median is +6.70% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in College Park spans $58,096,Hagerstown spans $39,930. College Park has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

College Park
P10 (Entry)$83,005
P25$91,981
Median$109,839
P75$122,662
P90 (Top)$141,101
Hagerstown
P10 (Entry)$70,572
P25$80,374
Median$87,583
P75$102,316
P90 (Top)$110,502

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, College Park ($100,493 effective) pays 8.05% more than Hagerstown ($93,004 effective).

College Park
Nominal: $109,839
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $100,493
Hagerstown
Nominal: $87,583
CoL Index: 94.171
Adjusted: $93,004

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose College Park if…

  • Higher median salary ($109,839/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($141,101)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $100,493)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Hagerstown if…

  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in College Park grew 16.6% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 7.9% growth in Hagerstown over the same period.

College Park, MD

+16.6%

$89,745 (2020) → $104,668 (2025)

Hagerstown, MD

+7.9%

$77,370 (2020) → $83,460 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: College Park or Hagerstown?

College Park has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $109,839/year, compared to Hagerstown at $87,583/year — a difference of $22,256 (25.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between College Park and Hagerstown?

College Park dental hygienists earn $52.81/hr while Hagerstown hygienists earn $42.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from College Park to Hagerstown as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing College Park and Hagerstown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: College Park = $100,493, Hagerstown = $93,004), job availability (6 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in College Park vs Hagerstown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $83,005 in College Park and $70,572 in Hagerstown. The College Park 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