Dental Hygienist Pay

Dental Hygienist Salary in Oxford, MS: $84,171 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Oxford, MS earns a median $84,171/year (โ‰ˆ $40.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Oxford's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $98,216 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Mississippi state average.

$84,171
Median Annual Salary
$40.46/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$67,652
Entry Level (P10)
$104,196
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates ยท View source

Dental Hygienist Salary in Oxford, MS โ€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Oxford, MS dental hygienist salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in Oxford, Mississippi, is $84,171. This figure is significantly lower than the national median of $102,946, reflecting an approximate 18.24% reduction in purchasing power when the cost of living is considered. The overall salary range for this profession locally spans from $67,652 at the 10th percentile to $104,196 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating variability based on experience and employment settings. With local estimates derived from state-level data and regional price adjustments, it's essential to understand that while salaries may appear competitive on paper, the cost-of-living index in Oxford is notably below the national average, currently sitting at 85.7. This dynamic creates a unique landscape for financial wellness among dental hygienists in the area.

About the Oxford Market

Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($71,723) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$67,652$32.52
Lower Range (P25)$73,276$35.23
Median (P50)(typical)$84,171$40.46
Upper Range (P75)$93,609$45.01
Top Earners (P90)$104,196$50.10

Median Salary Position

$67,652$104,196
City Median: $84,171
National: $102,946
P10โ€“P90 Range

18.24% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oxford

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for dental hygienists in Oxford. The median salary is $84,171, compared to the national median of $102,946.$60.9K$73.0K$85.1K$97.3K$109.4K$67.7K10th Pctl$73.3K25th Pctl$84.2KMedian$93.6K75th Pctl$104.2K90th PctlUS Median$102.9K

In Oxford, MS, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,544 (2026 est.). At $84,171, the local median is 18.24% below the national median of $102,946.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of dental hygienist pay in the Oxford metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,619
per week
$7,014
per month
$84,167
per year

At 40 hours/week in Oxford: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Oxford Dental Hygienist Pay Compares

Oxford median: $84,171/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryOxford Pays
Mississippi Average$88,230-4.60% less
National Average$102,946-18.24% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing dental hygienist median salary in Oxford ($84,171) with Mississippi average ($88,230) and the US national median ($102,946).Oxford$84,171Mississippi Avg$88,230-4.60%US National$102,946-18.24%

Dental Hygienists in Oxford, MS earn a median of $84,171 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.24% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 4.60% below the Mississippi state average of $88,230.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$84,171
Nominal Salary
85.7
CoL Index
$98,216
Adjusted Salary

Oxford has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal ร— (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $84,171. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 85.7, the purchasing-power equivalent is $98,216, a gain of $14,045.$71.5K$83.3K$95.0K$106.7K$118.4K$84,171NominalSalary$98,216CoL Adjusted(CoL: 85.7)โ–ฒ 16.69%US Median $102.9K

Oxford, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $84,171 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,216 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 16.69% boost.

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2020 BLS Actual

$54,380

2025 BLS Actual

$80,209

2026 Current Est.

$84,171

2020โ€“2027 Growth

+62.4%

Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Oxford (2020โ€“2027)

2020โ€“2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for dental hygienists in Oxford. Baseline $54,380 in 2025, projected to $88,329 by 2027.$44.2K$57.1K$69.9K$82.8K$95.7K202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$54.4K$51.5K$56.9K$63.8K$70.9K$80.2K$84.2K$88.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2020$54,380Actual
2021$51,542Actual
2022$56,883Actual
2023$63,838Actual
2024$70,903Actual
2025$80,209Actual
2026(current)$84,171Estimated
2027$88,329Projected

Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oxford metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 47.5% from $54,380 (2020) to $80,209 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,329 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $33,949 (62.43%) from 2020.

Note: Historical values (2020โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oxford metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ€“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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$67,652 โ€“ $73,276
3-5 years (Mid Career)$73,276 โ€“ $84,171
5+ years (Experienced)$84,171 โ€“ $93,609
10+ years (Top Earner)$93,609 โ€“ $104,196

RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Dental Hygienist Job Market in Oxford

The opportunities for dental hygienists in Oxford are bolstered by the presence of five professionals currently employed in the field, indicating a small but stable job market. However, when considering the cost of living, which is lower than the national average, the actual take-home pay can lead to a different economic reality. Employment opportunities range from solo dental practices to Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) such as Heartland and Aspen, with the latter often offering the most competitive salaries due to additional benefits like full health insurance and production-based bonuses. Factors such as the number of days worked per week, production bonuses tied to patient recall rates, and the differences in healthcare benefits between private practices and DSOs contribute to the disparity in earnings. To maximize dental hygienist pay in Oxford MS, professionals should consider positions in larger DSO environments or negotiate for higher compensation packages that include benefits, especially those that cater to perio recall and recare retention.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do dental hygienists make in Oxford, MS in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median dental hygienist salary in Oxford is $84,171/year ($40.46/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 4.94% annual growth). Salaries range from $67,652 at entry level (10th percentile) to $104,196 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Oxford at 18.2% below the national median. Full-time dental hygienists typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Oxford, MS a good place to work as a dental hygienist?

Oxford dental hygienist salaries are 18.2% below the national average and 4.6% below the Mississippi state average. The metro area employs approximately 5 dental hygienists. With a cost-of-living index of 85.7, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can dental hygienists make $100K in Oxford?

The median dental hygienist salary in Oxford is $84,171, and the 90th percentile earns $104,196. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Oxford?

After adjusting for Oxford's cost-of-living index of 85.7 (where 100 equals the national average), the $84,171 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $98,216 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 16.7% further in Oxford compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for dental hygienists seeking strong real wages.

How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Oxford?

Dental Hygienists in Oxford earn a median hourly rate of $40.46, which translates to approximately $84,171/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $32.52 for entry-level positions to $50.10 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem dental hygienists sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

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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

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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $80,209 for dental hygienistsin the Oxford metropolitan area. A 4.94% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10โ€“P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Oxford is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov

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