Dental Hygienist Salary in Winona, MN: $99,928 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Winona, MN earns a median $99,928/year (≈ $48.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Winona's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $101,450 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Winona, Minnesota, the projected median annual salary for a dental hygienist in 2026 is $99,928. This figure is slightly below the national median of $102,946 for the same year, reflecting the city's cost of living and employment dynamics. The salary range for dental hygienists in the area varies widely, with the lower end at $79,340 and the upper end reaching $122,678. These estimates, derived from 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and adjusted for regional price differences, reveal the competitive nature of the dental hygienist market in Winona. The availability of roles for dental hygienists, primarily in private practices and increasingly within Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), shapes the salary landscape as demand for oral health services continues to grow.
About the Winona Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($98,738) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,340 | $38.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,195 | $41.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,928 | $48.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,127 | $51.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,678 | $58.98 |
Median Salary Position
2.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winona
In Winona, MN, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,338 (2026 est.). At $99,928, the local median is 2.93% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winona: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winona Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Winona median: $99,928/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $105,409 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $102,946 | -2.93% less |
Dental Hygienists in Winona, MN earn a median of $99,928 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.93% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.20% below the Minnesota state average of $105,409.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winona has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winona, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $99,928 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,450 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$72,435
2025 BLS Actual
$95,224
2026 Current Est.
$99,928
2020–2027 Growth
+44.8%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Winona (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $72,435 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,722 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,279 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,728 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,224 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,928 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,865 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winona metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 31.5% from $72,435 (2020) to $95,224 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,865 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,430 (44.77%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winona 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) | $79,340 – $86,195 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,195 – $99,928 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,928 – $108,127 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,127 – $122,678 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Winona
With only four dental hygienists currently employed in Winona, the local job market exhibits both opportunities and challenges. The relatively lower cost of living in the area, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 98.5, provides a different context for take-home pay and overall financial health. Employers who typically offer higher pay are those within large multi-doctor group practices or DSOs, which often come with sign-on bonuses and additional benefits that private practices may lack. The disparity in salaries often stems from factors such as production-based bonuses tied to patient retention and flexible scheduling options. To maximize income potential in the Winona market, dental hygienists should consider seeking positions in expanding DSOs, pursuing additional certifications, and negotiating their contracts to include performance-related incentives and comprehensive benefits packages.
More salary data for Winona, MN:
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 $95,224 for dental hygienistsin the Winona 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 Winona 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