Dental Hygienist Pay

Edmonds vs Seattle: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Edmonds, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Edmonds, WA
$125,118
$60.15/hr
Seattle, WA
$140,347
$67.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEdmonds, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$125,118$140,347
Hourly Rate$60.15$67.48
Entry Level (P10)$93,709$133,924
25th Percentile$111,386$139,413
75th Percentile$138,744$168,103
Top Earner (P90)$159,117$170,895
Total Employed83,500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Edmonds ($125,118) and Seattle ($140,347) dental hygienist salaries.EdmondsSeattleMedian Salary$125,118$140,347Entry Level (P10)$93,709$133,924Top Earner (P90)$159,117$170,895US Median $102,946

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Edmonds.

The salary gap between Edmonds and Seattle is $15,229 (12.17%). Seattle's median is +36.33% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Edmonds spans $65,408,Seattle spans $36,971. Edmonds has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Edmonds
P10 (Entry)$93,709
P25$111,386
Median$125,118
P75$138,744
P90 (Top)$159,117
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$133,924
P25$139,413
Median$140,347
P75$168,103
P90 (Top)$170,895

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($126,287 effective) pays 8.40% more than Edmonds ($116,497 effective).

Edmonds
Nominal: $125,118
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $116,497
Seattle
Nominal: $140,347
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $126,287

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Edmonds if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($140,347/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($170,895)
  • Larger job market (3,500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $126,287)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Edmonds grew 25.0% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 34.2% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Edmonds, WA

+25.0%

$95,378 (2020) → $119,228 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+34.2%

$99,640 (2020) → $133,740 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Edmonds or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $140,347/year, compared to Edmonds at $125,118/year — a difference of $15,229 (12.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Edmonds and Seattle?

Edmonds dental hygienists earn $60.15/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $67.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Edmonds to Seattle as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Edmonds and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Edmonds = $116,497, Seattle = $126,287), job availability (8 vs 3,500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Edmonds vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $93,709 in Edmonds and $133,924 in Seattle. The Seattle 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