Dental Hygienist Pay

Boise City vs Moscow: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Boise City, ID and Moscow, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise City, ID
$99,326
$47.76/hr
Moscow, ID
$97,380
$46.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise City, IDMoscow, ID
Median Salary$99,326$97,380
Hourly Rate$47.76$46.81
Entry Level (P10)$90,616$73,808
25th Percentile$97,720$81,406
75th Percentile$103,502$108,759
Top Earner (P90)$120,051$124,628
Total Employed1,0206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise City ($99,326) and Moscow ($97,380) dental hygienist salaries.Boise CityMoscowMedian Salary$99,326$97,380Entry Level (P10)$90,616$73,808Top Earner (P90)$120,051$124,628US Median $102,946

Verdict

Boise City, ID offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Moscow.

The salary gap between Boise City and Moscow is $1,946 (2.00%). Boise City's median is -3.52% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise City spans $29,435,Moscow spans $50,820. Moscow has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Boise City
P10 (Entry)$90,616
P25$97,720
Median$99,326
P75$103,502
P90 (Top)$120,051
Moscow
P10 (Entry)$73,808
P25$81,406
Median$97,380
P75$108,759
P90 (Top)$124,628

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Moscow ($102,183 effective) pays 1.22% more than Boise City ($100,950 effective).

Boise City
Nominal: $99,326
CoL Index: 98.391
Adjusted: $100,950
Moscow
Nominal: $97,380
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $102,183

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise City if…

  • Higher median salary ($99,326/year)
  • Larger job market (1,020 employed)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Moscow if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($124,628)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $102,183)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Boise City grew 27.4% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 25.2% growth in Moscow over the same period.

Boise City, ID

+27.4%

$74,320 (2020) → $94,650 (2025)

Moscow, ID

+25.2%

$74,141 (2020) → $92,796 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Boise City or Moscow?

Boise City has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $99,326/year, compared to Moscow at $97,380/year — a difference of $1,946 (2.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise City and Moscow?

Boise City dental hygienists earn $47.76/hr while Moscow hygienists earn $46.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise City to Moscow as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise City and Moscow. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise City = $100,950, Moscow = $102,183), job availability (1,020 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Boise City vs Moscow?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $90,616 in Boise City and $73,808 in Moscow. The Boise City 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