Dental Hygienist Salary in Radford, VA: $96,684 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Radford, VA earns a median $96,684/year (≈ $46.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Radford's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $93,686 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For dental hygienists in Radford, VA, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is reported at $96,684, presenting a slight divergence from the national average of $102,946. The salary range for this profession in the area extends from $77,226 at the 10th percentile to $113,294 at the 90th percentile, illustrating variability in compensation based on experience and workplace setting. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, reflect a growing demand within Radford's dental care market. With a compound annual growth rate of 4.94% expected over the next five years, the employment outlook remains positive, particularly as healthcare needs continue to expand.
About the Radford Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($94,466) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,226 | $37.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,379 | $42.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,684 | $46.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,917 | $49.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,294 | $54.46 |
Median Salary Position
6.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Radford
In Radford, VA, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,068 (2026 est.). At $96,684, the local median is 6.08% below the national median of $102,946.
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At 40 hours/week in Radford: You'd be above the median
How Radford Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Radford median: $96,684/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Radford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $105,321 | -8.20% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -6.08% less |
Dental Hygienists in Radford, VA earn a median of $96,684 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.08% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 8.20% below the Virginia state average of $105,321.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Radford has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Radford, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $96,684 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $93,686 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$74,065
2025 BLS Actual
$92,133
2026 Current Est.
$96,684
2020–2027 Growth
+37.0%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Radford (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $74,065 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,391 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,772 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,313 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,166 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,133 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,684 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,461 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Radford metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 24.4% from $74,065 (2020) to $92,133 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,461 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,396 (36.99%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Radford metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.94% CAGR derived from 6-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $77,226 – $87,379 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,379 – $96,684 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,684 – $101,917 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,917 – $113,294 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Radford
In Radford, the local employment scenario features just six dental hygienists currently working, indicating a tight labor market which could impact salary negotiations. The cost of living index stands at 103.2, slightly above the national average, which suggests that take-home pay may be affected by local expenses. Among local employers, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) typically offer higher salaries, including potential sign-on bonuses, compared to private practices. The disparity in dental hygienist pay in Radford VA often arises from production-based incentives, scheduling preferences, and the benefits offered. Those seeking to maximize their income should consider aligning with DSOs for enhanced pay and comprehensive benefits, while also exploring opportunities that emphasize perio recall and retention, as these factors can significantly influence earnings in this field.
More salary data for Radford, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $92,133 for dental hygienistsin the Radford metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Radford is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.94%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dental hygienists (SOC 29-1292).
Compiled and verified by Sarah Chen, RDH, BSDH, a licensed dental hygienist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov