Dental Hygienist Pay

Miami vs Plantation: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Miami, FL and Plantation, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Miami, FL
$86,869
$41.77/hr
Plantation, FL
$95,127
$45.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMiami, FLPlantation, FL
Median Salary$86,869$95,127
Hourly Rate$41.77$45.73
Entry Level (P10)$80,426$76,208
25th Percentile$83,721$81,015
75th Percentile$97,951$106,859
Top Earner (P90)$103,933$123,943
Total Employed3,46015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Miami ($86,869) and Plantation ($95,127) dental hygienist salaries.MiamiPlantationMedian Salary$86,869$95,127Entry Level (P10)$80,426$76,208Top Earner (P90)$103,933$123,943US Median $102,946

Verdict

Plantation, FL offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Miami.

The salary gap between Miami and Plantation is $8,258 (9.51%). Plantation's median is -7.60% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Miami spans $23,507,Plantation spans $47,735. Plantation has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Miami
P10 (Entry)$80,426
P25$83,721
Median$86,869
P75$97,951
P90 (Top)$103,933
Plantation
P10 (Entry)$76,208
P25$81,015
Median$95,127
P75$106,859
P90 (Top)$123,943

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Plantation ($94,372 effective) pays 24.01% more than Miami ($76,097 effective).

Miami
Nominal: $86,869
CoL Index: 114.155
Adjusted: $76,097
Plantation
Nominal: $95,127
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $94,372

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Miami if…

  • Larger job market (3,460 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Plantation if…

  • Higher median salary ($95,127/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($123,943)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $94,372)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Miami grew 23.3% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 30.8% growth in Plantation over the same period.

Miami, FL

+23.3%

$67,160 (2020) → $82,780 (2025)

Plantation, FL

+30.8%

$69,280 (2020) → $90,649 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Miami or Plantation?

Plantation has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $95,127/year, compared to Miami at $86,869/year — a difference of $8,258 (9.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Miami and Plantation?

Miami dental hygienists earn $41.77/hr while Plantation hygienists earn $45.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Miami to Plantation as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Miami and Plantation. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Miami = $76,097, Plantation = $94,372), job availability (3,460 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Miami vs Plantation?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $80,426 in Miami and $76,208 in Plantation. The Miami 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