Dental Hygienist Pay

Mobile vs Northport: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Mobile, AL and Northport, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mobile, AL
$63,709
$30.63/hr
Northport, AL
$61,990
$29.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMobile, ALNorthport, AL
Median Salary$63,709$61,990
Hourly Rate$30.63$29.80
Entry Level (P10)$50,738$47,140
25th Percentile$61,862$51,936
75th Percentile$64,307$66,924
Top Earner (P90)$74,423$75,853
Total Employed2005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mobile ($63,709) and Northport ($61,990) dental hygienist salaries.MobileNorthportMedian Salary$63,709$61,990Entry Level (P10)$50,738$47,140Top Earner (P90)$74,423$75,853US Median $102,946

Verdict

Mobile, AL offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Northport.

The salary gap between Mobile and Northport is $1,719 (2.77%). Mobile's median is -38.11% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mobile spans $23,685,Northport spans $28,713. Northport has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Mobile
P10 (Entry)$50,738
P25$61,862
Median$63,709
P75$64,307
P90 (Top)$74,423
Northport
P10 (Entry)$47,140
P25$51,936
Median$61,990
P75$66,924
P90 (Top)$75,853

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mobile ($72,316 effective) pays 2.54% more than Northport ($70,523 effective).

Mobile
Nominal: $63,709
CoL Index: 88.098
Adjusted: $72,316
Northport
Nominal: $61,990
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $70,523

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mobile if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,709/year)
  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,316)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Northport if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($75,853)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Mobile grew 22.3% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 18.5% growth in Northport over the same period.

Mobile, AL

+22.3%

$49,620 (2020) → $60,710 (2025)

Northport, AL

+18.5%

$49,854 (2020) → $59,072 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Mobile or Northport?

Mobile has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $63,709/year, compared to Northport at $61,990/year — a difference of $1,719 (2.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mobile and Northport?

Mobile dental hygienists earn $30.63/hr while Northport hygienists earn $29.80/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Mobile to Northport as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mobile and Northport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mobile = $72,316, Northport = $70,523), job availability (200 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Mobile vs Northport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $50,738 in Mobile and $47,140 in Northport. The Mobile 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