St. Petersburg vs Tampa: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)
Compare dental hygienist salaries between St. Petersburg, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | St. Petersburg, FL | Tampa, FL |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $100,062 | $100,606▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $48.10 | $48.37▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,077 | $82,945▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $85,020 | $88,160▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $110,907▲ | $102,421 |
| Top Earner (P90) | $136,673▲ | $103,880 |
| Total Employed | 42 | 1,670▲ |
Verdict
Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to St. Petersburg.
The salary gap between St. Petersburg and Tampa is $544 (0.54%). Tampa's median is -2.27% compared to the US national median of $102,946.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in St. Petersburg spans $60,596,Tampa spans $20,935. St. Petersburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($99,719 effective) pays 0.45% more than St. Petersburg ($99,268 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose St. Petersburg if…
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($136,673)
- ✓You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle
Choose Tampa if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($100,606/year)
- ✓Larger job market (1,670 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,719)
- ✓You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in St. Petersburg grew 32.6% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 25.6% growth in Tampa over the same period.
St. Petersburg, FL
$71,905 (2020) → $95,352 (2025)
Tampa, FL
$76,360 (2020) → $95,870 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
St. Petersburg, FL
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays dental hygienists more: St. Petersburg or Tampa?
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Should I relocate from St. Petersburg to Tampa as a dental hygienist?
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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.
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