Dental Hygienist Pay

Orlando vs Port Orange: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Orlando, FL and Port Orange, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Orlando, FL
$97,132
$46.70/hr
Port Orange, FL
$95,488
$45.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOrlando, FLPort Orange, FL
Median Salary$97,132$95,488
Hourly Rate$46.70$45.91
Entry Level (P10)$78,579$69,440
25th Percentile$81,612$83,850
75th Percentile$99,042$104,056
Top Earner (P90)$100,081$125,139
Total Employed1,49010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Orlando ($97,132) and Port Orange ($95,488) dental hygienist salaries.OrlandoPort OrangeMedian Salary$97,132$95,488Entry Level (P10)$78,579$69,440Top Earner (P90)$100,081$125,139US Median $102,946

Verdict

Orlando, FL offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Port Orange.

The salary gap between Orlando and Port Orange is $1,644 (1.72%). Orlando's median is -5.65% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Orlando spans $21,502,Port Orange spans $55,699. Port Orange has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Orlando
P10 (Entry)$78,579
P25$81,612
Median$97,132
P75$99,042
P90 (Top)$100,081
Port Orange
P10 (Entry)$69,440
P25$83,850
Median$95,488
P75$104,056
P90 (Top)$125,139

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orlando ($95,774 effective) pays 1.10% more than Port Orange ($94,730 effective).

Orlando
Nominal: $97,132
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $95,774
Port Orange
Nominal: $95,488
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $94,730

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Orlando if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,132/year)
  • Larger job market (1,490 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $95,774)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Port Orange if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($125,139)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Orlando grew 28.9% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 30.8% growth in Port Orange over the same period.

Orlando, FL

+28.9%

$71,820 (2020) → $92,560 (2025)

Port Orange, FL

+30.8%

$69,542 (2020) → $90,993 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Orlando or Port Orange?

Orlando has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $97,132/year, compared to Port Orange at $95,488/year — a difference of $1,644 (1.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Orlando and Port Orange?

Orlando dental hygienists earn $46.70/hr while Port Orange hygienists earn $45.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Orlando to Port Orange as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Orlando and Port Orange. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Orlando = $95,774, Port Orange = $94,730), job availability (1,490 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Orlando vs Port Orange?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $78,579 in Orlando and $69,440 in Port Orange. The Orlando 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