Dental Hygienist Salary in Colorado Springs, CO: $124,259 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Colorado Springs, CO earns a median $124,259/year (≈ $59.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Colorado Springs's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $123,387 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Colorado Springs, the dental hygienist salary achieves a noteworthy median of $124,259 in 2026, significantly outpacing the national median of $102,946 by more than 20%. Salaries in this profession vary considerably, with a range extending from $106,556 at the 10th percentile to $135,855 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy market for dental hygienists in the area. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, reflects the region's strong demand for skilled dental professionals. As the city continues to grow, opportunities in the dental sector remain robust, providing a promising future for those pursuing a career as a dental hygienist in Colorado Springs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $106,556 | $51.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $110,281 | $53.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $124,259 | $59.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $131,668 | $63.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $135,855 | $65.31 |
Median Salary Position
20.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs, CO, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,299 (2026 est.). At $124,259, the local median is 20.7% above the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Colorado Springs: You'd be above the median
How Colorado Springs Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Colorado Springs median: $124,259/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Colorado Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $115,483 | +7.60% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | +20.70% more |
Dental Hygienists in Colorado Springs, CO earn a median of $124,259 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.70% higher than the national median of $102,946 and 7.60% above the Colorado state average of $115,483.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Colorado Springs has a cost of living 0.71% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Colorado Springs, CO has a cost-of-living index of 100.707 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $124,259 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $123,387 — a 0.7% reduction.
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2020 BLS Actual
$78,700
2025 BLS Actual
$118,410
2026 Current Est.
$124,259
2020–2027 Growth
+65.7%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Colorado Springs (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $78,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $118,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $124,259 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,398 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 50.5% from $78,700 (2020) to $118,410 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,398 by 2027 — a total increase of $51,698 (65.69%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado Springs 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) | $106,556 – $110,281 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $110,281 – $124,259 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $124,259 – $131,668 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $131,668 – $135,855 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Colorado Springs
The job market for dental hygienists in Colorado Springs is thriving, with approximately 500 practitioners currently employed in the area. The cost of living index of 100.707 suggests that while living expenses are slightly above the national average, they still allow for prudent financial management in relation to take-home pay. Employers that typically offer higher salaries include Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland, Aspen, and Pacific Dental Services, which often provide full benefits and production-based bonuses. Variations in pay can arise from practice structure and policies, particularly with regard to hours worked per week and potential sign-on bonuses. To maximize earnings in this competitive market, dental hygienists should consider seeking positions with DSOs or specialty practices, engaging in continuous professional development, and negotiating favorable benefit packages. Adaptability to evolving employment models will be essential for those looking to optimize their dental hygienist pay in Colorado Springs, CO.
More salary data for Colorado Springs, CO:
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 $118,410 for dental hygienistsin the Colorado Springs 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