Dental Hygienist Salary in Kansas: $93,826 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median dental hygienist pay sits at $93,826/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1292. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $103,219 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wichita ($95,096), Kansas City ($93,340), Overland Park ($90,630).
In 2026, dental hygienists in Kansas can expect an average median salary of $93,826, which is approximately 8.9% lower than the national median of $102,946. The highest-paying city is Wichita, where dental hygienists earn about $99,794, while the lowest is Emporia at $86,391, creating a salary gap of $13,403. This difference can be attributed to regional demand, cost of living variations, and the concentration of dental practices. Kansas has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can impact salary levels. The employment of dental hygienists is projected to grow at an annual rate of 4.94%, reflecting a steady demand for oral health services across various communities. As of now, there are 552 dental hygienists employed in the state, with the top five projected salaries in 2026 residing in Wichita ($99,794), Kansas City ($97,951), Overland Park ($95,107), Lawrence ($94,624), and Manhattan ($94,099). The job market remains favorable for dental hygienists, driven by a growing emphasis on preventative care and oral health awareness, making it a viable career choice in Kansas.
Kansas Dental Hygienist Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $68,720 (lowest entry-level) to $133,791 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas dental hygienists earn 8.86% less than the national median ($-9,120/year difference).
Kansas Dental Hygienist Salary Distribution (2026)
Dental Hygienist salaries in Kansas range from $76,798 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $112,028 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $93,826. The Kansas median is $9,120 below the US national median of $102,946. The average hourly rate is $45.11/hr. Approximately 552 dental hygienists are employed across 22 cities.
2020 BLS Actual
$69,232
2025 BLS Actual
$89,409
2026 Current Est.
$93,826
2020–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Kansas (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $69,232 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,602 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,086 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,262 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,916 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,409 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,826 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,461 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 29.1% from $69,232 (2020) to $89,409 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,461 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,229 (42.22%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Emporia | $86,391 |
| Gardner | $86,778 |
| Liberal | $87,278 |
| Hays | $87,615 |
| Prairie Village | $87,876 |
Best Value Cities for Dental Hygienists in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for dental hygienists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | $99,794 | 90.9 | $109,784 |
| Kansas City | $97,951 | 90.9 | $107,757 |
| Overland Park | $95,107 | 90.9 | $104,628 |
| Topeka | $92,578 | 88.82 | $104,231 |
| Lawrence | $94,624 | 90.9 | $104,097 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $76,798 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $93,826 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $112,028 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wichita | $99,794 |
| 2 | Kansas City | $97,951 |
| 3 | Overland Park | $95,107 |
| 4 | Lawrence | $94,624 |
| 5 | Manhattan | $94,099 |
| 6 | Olathe | $93,898 |
| 7 | Lenexa | $93,668 |
| 8 | Garden City | $92,742 |
| 9 | Topeka | $92,578 |
| 10 | Derby | $92,278 |
| 11 | Hutchinson | $91,544 |
| 12 | Leavenworth | $91,515 |
| 13 | Shawnee | $91,223 |
| 14 | Salina | $90,550 |
| 15 | Leawood | $90,048 |
| 16 | Dodge City | $88,531 |
| 17 | Junction City | $88,248 |
| 18 | Prairie Village | $87,876 |
| 19 | Hays | $87,615 |
| 20 | Liberal | $87,278 |
| 21 | Gardner | $86,778 |
| 22 | Emporia | $86,391 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore dental hygienist hourly pay in Kansas cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced dental hygienists.
Explore More Dental Hygienist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for dental hygienists in Kansas?
How does Kansas dental hygienist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level dental hygienist salary in Kansas?
How many dental hygienists are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas city offers the best value for dental hygienists?
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
Statewide 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. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 dental hygienist compensation across Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 metro areas — larger metro areas with more dental hygienistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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