Dental Hygienist Pay

Baltimore vs Severn: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Baltimore, MD and Severn, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$121,867
$58.59/hr
Severn, MD
$110,054
$52.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDSevern, MD
Median Salary$121,867$110,054
Hourly Rate$58.59$52.91
Entry Level (P10)$107,826$86,575
25th Percentile$110,177$94,941
75th Percentile$127,670$122,443
Top Earner (P90)$131,217$141,418
Total Employed1,90012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($121,867) and Severn ($110,054) dental hygienist salaries.BaltimoreSevernMedian Salary$121,867$110,054Entry Level (P10)$107,826$86,575Top Earner (P90)$131,217$141,418US Median $102,946

Verdict

Baltimore, MD offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Severn.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Severn is $11,813 (10.73%). Baltimore's median is +18.38% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $23,391,Severn spans $54,843. Severn has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$107,826
P25$110,177
Median$121,867
P75$127,670
P90 (Top)$131,217
Severn
P10 (Entry)$86,575
P25$94,941
Median$110,054
P75$122,443
P90 (Top)$141,418

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baltimore ($116,634 effective) pays 15.83% more than Severn ($100,690 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $121,867
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $116,634
Severn
Nominal: $110,054
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $100,690

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Higher median salary ($121,867/year)
  • Larger job market (1,900 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $116,634)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Severn if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($141,418)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Baltimore grew 21.9% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 16.6% growth in Severn over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+21.9%

$95,290 (2020) → $116,130 (2025)

Severn, MD

+16.6%

$89,921 (2020) → $104,873 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Baltimore or Severn?

Baltimore has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $121,867/year, compared to Severn at $110,054/year — a difference of $11,813 (10.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Severn?

Baltimore dental hygienists earn $58.59/hr while Severn hygienists earn $52.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Severn as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Severn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $116,634, Severn = $100,690), job availability (1,900 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Baltimore vs Severn?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $107,826 in Baltimore and $86,575 in Severn. The Baltimore 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