Dental Hygienist Pay

Green Bay vs River Falls: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Green Bay, WI and River Falls, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Green Bay, WI
$96,461
$46.37/hr
River Falls, WI
$94,879
$45.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreen Bay, WIRiver Falls, WI
Median Salary$96,461$94,879
Hourly Rate$46.37$45.62
Entry Level (P10)$84,687$73,770
25th Percentile$87,677$83,981
75th Percentile$98,853$103,873
Top Earner (P90)$103,041$117,415
Total Employed3405
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Green Bay ($96,461) and River Falls ($94,879) dental hygienist salaries.Green BayRiver FallsMedian Salary$96,461$94,879Entry Level (P10)$84,687$73,770Top Earner (P90)$103,041$117,415US Median $102,946

Verdict

Green Bay, WI offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to River Falls.

The salary gap between Green Bay and River Falls is $1,582 (1.67%). Green Bay's median is -6.30% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Green Bay spans $18,354,River Falls spans $43,645. River Falls has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Green Bay
P10 (Entry)$84,687
P25$87,677
Median$96,461
P75$98,853
P90 (Top)$103,041
River Falls
P10 (Entry)$73,770
P25$83,981
Median$94,879
P75$103,873
P90 (Top)$117,415

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Green Bay ($103,626 effective) pays 2.01% more than River Falls ($101,584 effective).

Green Bay
Nominal: $96,461
CoL Index: 93.086
Adjusted: $103,626
River Falls
Nominal: $94,879
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $101,584

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Green Bay if…

  • Higher median salary ($96,461/year)
  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $103,626)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose River Falls if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($117,415)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Green Bay grew 37.1% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 35.9% growth in River Falls over the same period.

Green Bay, WI

+37.1%

$67,050 (2020) → $91,920 (2025)

River Falls, WI

+35.9%

$66,517 (2020) → $90,413 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Green Bay or River Falls?

Green Bay has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $96,461/year, compared to River Falls at $94,879/year — a difference of $1,582 (1.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Green Bay and River Falls?

Green Bay dental hygienists earn $46.37/hr while River Falls hygienists earn $45.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Green Bay to River Falls as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Green Bay and River Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Green Bay = $103,626, River Falls = $101,584), job availability (340 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Green Bay vs River Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $84,687 in Green Bay and $73,770 in River Falls. The Green Bay area offers higher starting salaries.
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