Dental Hygienist Pay

Columbus vs North Royalton: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Columbus, OH and North Royalton, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbus, OH
$101,666
$48.88/hr
North Royalton, OH
$87,171
$41.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHNorth Royalton, OH
Median Salary$101,666$87,171
Hourly Rate$48.88$41.91
Entry Level (P10)$85,820$66,772
25th Percentile$95,097$77,034
75th Percentile$104,237$92,839
Top Earner (P90)$104,657$104,581
Total Employed1,7007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($101,666) and North Royalton ($87,171) dental hygienist salaries.ColumbusNorth RoyaltonMedian Salary$101,666$87,171Entry Level (P10)$85,820$66,772Top Earner (P90)$104,657$104,581US Median $102,946

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to North Royalton.

The salary gap between Columbus and North Royalton is $14,495 (16.63%). Columbus's median is -1.24% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $18,837,North Royalton spans $37,809. North Royalton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$85,820
P25$95,097
Median$101,666
P75$104,237
P90 (Top)$104,657
North Royalton
P10 (Entry)$66,772
P25$77,034
Median$87,171
P75$92,839
P90 (Top)$104,581

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($106,491 effective) pays 10.80% more than North Royalton ($96,109 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $101,666
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $106,491
North Royalton
Nominal: $87,171
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $96,109

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($101,666/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($104,657)
  • Larger job market (1,700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,491)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose North Royalton if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Columbus grew 30.9% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 21.9% growth in North Royalton over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+30.9%

$74,010 (2020) → $96,880 (2025)

North Royalton, OH

+21.9%

$68,171 (2020) → $83,067 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Columbus or North Royalton?

Columbus has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $101,666/year, compared to North Royalton at $87,171/year — a difference of $14,495 (16.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and North Royalton?

Columbus dental hygienists earn $48.88/hr while North Royalton hygienists earn $41.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to North Royalton as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and North Royalton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $106,491, North Royalton = $96,109), job availability (1,700 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Columbus vs North Royalton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $85,820 in Columbus and $66,772 in North Royalton. The Columbus 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