Dental Hygienist Salary in River Falls, WI: $94,879 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in River Falls, WI earns a median $94,879/year (≈ $45.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in River Falls's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $101,584 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In River Falls, WI, the compensation for dental hygienists aligns closely with local economic conditions, as evidenced by a projected median annual salary of $94,879 for 2026. The salary range extends from $73,770 at the 10th percentile to $117,415 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a variety of factors such as experience, type of practice, and patient load. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, providing a useful context for understanding dental hygienist pay in River Falls. With the city’s well-structured dental landscape, professionals will find opportunities to earn competitive wages despite the slight underperformance when compared to the national median of $102,946, which suggests room for potential growth in this local job market.
About the River Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($84,362) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,770 | $35.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,981 | $40.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,879 | $45.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,873 | $49.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,415 | $56.45 |
Median Salary Position
7.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in River Falls
In River Falls, WI, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,645 (2026 est.). At $94,879, the local median is 7.84% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in River Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How River Falls Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
River Falls median: $94,879/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | River Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $100,721 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -7.84% less |
Dental Hygienists in River Falls, WI earn a median of $94,879 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.84% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $100,721.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
River Falls has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
River Falls, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $94,879 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,584 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$66,517
2025 BLS Actual
$90,413
2026 Current Est.
$94,879
2020–2027 Growth
+49.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in River Falls (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $66,517 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,071 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,993 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,639 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,749 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,413 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,879 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $99,566 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the River Falls metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 35.9% from $66,517 (2020) to $90,413 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $99,566 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,049 (49.69%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the River Falls 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) | $73,770 – $83,981 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,981 – $94,879 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,879 – $103,873 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,873 – $117,415 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in River Falls
Currently, River Falls hosts a modest number of five employed dental hygienists, indicating a focused yet vital market in which these professionals operate. The cost of living index stands at 93.4, which is below the national average, potentially enhancing local purchasing power despite lower salaries compared to national figures. Dental hygienists may find the most lucrative opportunities within multi-doctor group practices or Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen, which often offer sign-on bonuses and comprehensive benefits. Variability in pay between employers can be influenced by factors such as production-based bonuses, scheduling preferences, and the types of services offered. To maximize earnings, it’s advisable for dental hygienists in River Falls to consider roles in established DSOs or practices that provide robust benefits, as well as to negotiate for perks that enhance well-being and financial viability in their careers.
More salary data for River Falls, WI:
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 $90,413 for dental hygienistsin the River Falls 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 River Falls 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