Dental Hygienist Pay

Crown Point vs Fort Wayne: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Crown Point, IN and Fort Wayne, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Crown Point, IN
$86,183
$41.43/hr
Fort Wayne, IN
$90,374
$43.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCrown Point, INFort Wayne, IN
Median Salary$86,183$90,374
Hourly Rate$41.43$43.45
Entry Level (P10)$69,166$83,847
25th Percentile$74,885$88,181
75th Percentile$95,642$95,779
Top Earner (P90)$109,723$98,612
Total Employed7460
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Crown Point ($86,183) and Fort Wayne ($90,374) dental hygienist salaries.Crown PointFort WayneMedian Salary$86,183$90,374Entry Level (P10)$69,166$83,847Top Earner (P90)$109,723$98,612US Median $102,946

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Crown Point.

The salary gap between Crown Point and Fort Wayne is $4,191 (4.86%). Fort Wayne's median is -12.21% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Crown Point spans $40,557,Fort Wayne spans $14,765. Crown Point has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Crown Point
P10 (Entry)$69,166
P25$74,885
Median$86,183
P75$95,642
P90 (Top)$109,723
Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$83,847
P25$88,181
Median$90,374
P75$95,779
P90 (Top)$98,612

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($97,626 effective) pays 3.42% more than Crown Point ($94,395 effective).

Crown Point
Nominal: $86,183
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $94,395
Fort Wayne
Nominal: $90,374
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $97,626

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Crown Point if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($109,723)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($90,374/year)
  • Larger job market (460 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $97,626)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Crown Point grew 13.7% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 26.6% growth in Fort Wayne over the same period.

Crown Point, IN

+13.7%

$72,203 (2020) → $82,126 (2025)

Fort Wayne, IN

+26.6%

$68,030 (2020) → $86,120 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Crown Point or Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $90,374/year, compared to Crown Point at $86,183/year — a difference of $4,191 (4.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Crown Point and Fort Wayne?

Crown Point dental hygienists earn $41.43/hr while Fort Wayne hygienists earn $43.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Crown Point to Fort Wayne as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Crown Point and Fort Wayne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Crown Point = $94,395, Fort Wayne = $97,626), job availability (7 vs 460 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Crown Point vs Fort Wayne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $69,166 in Crown Point and $83,847 in Fort Wayne. The Fort Wayne 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