Dental Hygienist Salary in Hattiesburg, MS: $68,589 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Hattiesburg, MS earns a median $68,589/year (≈ $32.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Hattiesburg's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.6), that paycheck buys what $78,268 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 22.3% below the Mississippi state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Hattiesburg, MS, presents a promising market for dental hygienists, with a total of 90 professionals currently employed in the area. Projected salary estimates for 2026 indicate a median annual dental hygienist salary in Hattiesburg of $68,589, which is notably lower than the national median of $102,946. The salary range shows considerable variation, with entry-level positions offering around $64,108 and experienced hygienists making up to $80,416. These projections stem from comprehensive BLS OEWS surveys and highlight a competitive local job environment. With a steady growth rate of 4.94% anticipated over the next five years, Hattiesburg's dental hygiene market seems poised for expansion.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,108 | $30.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,420 | $31.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,589 | $32.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,559 | $34.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,416 | $38.66 |
Median Salary Position
33.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hattiesburg
In Hattiesburg, MS, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,308 (2026 est.). At $68,589, the local median is 33.37% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hattiesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hattiesburg Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Hattiesburg median: $68,589/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hattiesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $88,274 | -22.30% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -33.37% less |
Dental Hygienists in Hattiesburg, MS earn a median of $68,589 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.37% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 22.30% below the Mississippi state average of $88,274.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hattiesburg has a cost of living 12.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hattiesburg, MS has a cost-of-living index of 87.633 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $68,589 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,268 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.11% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$54,420
2025 BLS Actual
$65,360
2026 Current Est.
$68,589
2020–2027 Growth
+32.3%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Hattiesburg (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $54,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,670 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,589 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,977 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hattiesburg metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 20.1% from $54,420 (2020) to $65,360 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,977 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,557 (32.26%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hattiesburg 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) | $64,108 – $65,420 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,420 – $68,589 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,589 – $71,559 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,559 – $80,416 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Hattiesburg
The local job market for dental hygienists in Hattiesburg reflects a balanced scenario, where the cost of living index stands at 87.633, suggesting that take-home pay could be more impactful than it appears at first glance. Among local employers, dental service organizations (DSOs) like Heartland Dental and Aspen often provide the highest salaries, alongside benefits that are less common in solo practices, such as health insurance and robust sign-on bonuses. The disparity in pay largely stems from various factors including production-based bonuses linked to periodontal maintenance and the number of days worked per week. To maximize earnings in this specific market, dental hygienists might consider seeking employment in group practices or DSOs instead of private offices, as these settings typically offer better compensation structures and incentive programs that can enhance overall pay.
More salary data for Hattiesburg, MS:
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 $65,360 for dental hygienistsin the Hattiesburg 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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