Dental Hygienist Pay

Germantown vs Lexington Park: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Germantown, MD
$113,262
$54.45/hr
Lexington Park, MD
$109,620
$52.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGermantown, MDLexington Park, MD
Median Salary$113,262$109,620
Hourly Rate$54.45$52.70
Entry Level (P10)$85,373$100,312
25th Percentile$94,828$105,297
75th Percentile$125,523$128,184
Top Earner (P90)$145,160$131,416
Total Employed22130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Germantown ($113,262) and Lexington Park ($109,620) dental hygienist salaries.GermantownLexington ParkMedian Salary$113,262$109,620Entry Level (P10)$85,373$100,312Top Earner (P90)$145,160$131,416US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Germantown and Lexington Park is $3,642 (3.32%). Germantown's median is +10.02% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Germantown spans $59,787,Lexington Park spans $31,104. Germantown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Germantown
P10 (Entry)$85,373
P25$94,828
Median$113,262
P75$125,523
P90 (Top)$145,160
Lexington Park
P10 (Entry)$100,312
P25$105,297
Median$109,620
P75$128,184
P90 (Top)$131,416

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington Park ($108,793 effective) pays 4.99% more than Germantown ($103,625 effective).

Germantown
Nominal: $113,262
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $103,625
Lexington Park
Nominal: $109,620
CoL Index: 100.76
Adjusted: $108,793

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Germantown if…

  • Higher median salary ($113,262/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($145,160)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington Park if…

  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,793)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Germantown grew 16.6% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 2.3% growth in Lexington Park over the same period.

Germantown, MD

+16.6%

$92,542 (2020) → $107,930 (2025)

Lexington Park, MD

+2.3%

$102,140 (2024) → $104,460 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Germantown or Lexington Park?

Germantown has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $113,262/year, compared to Lexington Park at $109,620/year — a difference of $3,642 (3.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Germantown and Lexington Park?

Germantown dental hygienists earn $54.45/hr while Lexington Park hygienists earn $52.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Germantown to Lexington Park as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Germantown and Lexington Park. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Germantown = $103,625, Lexington Park = $108,793), job availability (22 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Germantown vs Lexington Park?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $85,373 in Germantown and $100,312 in Lexington Park. The Lexington 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