Dental Hygienist Pay

Brunswick vs Columbus: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Brunswick, OH and Columbus, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brunswick, OH
$85,882
$41.29/hr
Columbus, OH
$101,666
$48.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrunswick, OHColumbus, OH
Median Salary$85,882$101,666
Hourly Rate$41.29$48.88
Entry Level (P10)$71,021$85,820
25th Percentile$76,239$95,097
75th Percentile$95,056$104,237
Top Earner (P90)$108,607$104,657
Total Employed61,700
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brunswick ($85,882) and Columbus ($101,666) dental hygienist salaries.BrunswickColumbusMedian Salary$85,882$101,666Entry Level (P10)$71,021$85,820Top Earner (P90)$108,607$104,657US Median $102,946

Verdict

Columbus, OH offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Brunswick.

The salary gap between Brunswick and Columbus is $15,784 (18.38%). Columbus's median is -1.24% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brunswick spans $37,586,Columbus spans $18,837. Brunswick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Brunswick
P10 (Entry)$71,021
P25$76,239
Median$85,882
P75$95,056
P90 (Top)$108,607
Columbus
P10 (Entry)$85,820
P25$95,097
Median$101,666
P75$104,237
P90 (Top)$104,657

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($106,491 effective) pays 12.47% more than Brunswick ($94,688 effective).

Brunswick
Nominal: $85,882
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $94,688
Columbus
Nominal: $101,666
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $106,491

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brunswick if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($108,607)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($101,666/year)
  • Larger job market (1,700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $106,491)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Brunswick grew 21.8% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 30.9% growth in Columbus over the same period.

Brunswick, OH

+21.8%

$67,164 (2020) → $81,839 (2025)

Columbus, OH

+30.9%

$74,010 (2020) → $96,880 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Brunswick or Columbus?

Columbus has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $101,666/year, compared to Brunswick at $85,882/year — a difference of $15,784 (18.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brunswick and Columbus?

Brunswick dental hygienists earn $41.29/hr while Columbus hygienists earn $48.88/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brunswick to Columbus as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brunswick and Columbus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brunswick = $94,688, Columbus = $106,491), job availability (6 vs 1,700 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Brunswick vs Columbus?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $71,021 in Brunswick and $85,820 in Columbus. The Columbus area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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