Dental Hygienist Pay

Cleveland vs Oxford: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$93,386
$44.89/hr
Oxford, OH
$83,740
$40.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHOxford, OH
Median Salary$93,386$83,740
Hourly Rate$44.89$40.25
Entry Level (P10)$84,267$65,211
25th Percentile$84,907$76,153
75th Percentile$98,182$88,778
Top Earner (P90)$98,497$103,643
Total Employed1,7906
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($93,386) and Oxford ($83,740) dental hygienist salaries.ClevelandOxfordMedian Salary$93,386$83,740Entry Level (P10)$84,267$65,211Top Earner (P90)$98,497$103,643US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Oxford is $9,646 (11.52%). Cleveland's median is -9.29% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $14,230,Oxford spans $38,432. Oxford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$84,267
P25$84,907
Median$93,386
P75$98,182
P90 (Top)$98,497
Oxford
P10 (Entry)$65,211
P25$76,153
Median$83,740
P75$88,778
P90 (Top)$103,643

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($99,428 effective) pays 7.69% more than Oxford ($92,326 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $93,386
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $99,428
Oxford
Nominal: $83,740
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $92,326

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($93,386/year)
  • Larger job market (1,790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $99,428)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Oxford if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($103,643)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Cleveland grew 31.1% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 21.8% growth in Oxford over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+31.1%

$67,870 (2020) → $88,990 (2025)

Oxford, OH

+21.8%

$65,489 (2020) → $79,798 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Cleveland or Oxford?

Cleveland has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $93,386/year, compared to Oxford at $83,740/year — a difference of $9,646 (11.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Oxford?

Cleveland dental hygienists earn $44.89/hr while Oxford hygienists earn $40.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Oxford as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Oxford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $99,428, Oxford = $92,326), job availability (1,790 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Cleveland vs Oxford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $84,267 in Cleveland and $65,211 in Oxford. The Cleveland area offers higher starting salaries.

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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