Dental Hygienist Salary in Lincoln, NE: $99,798 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Lincoln, NE earns a median $99,798/year (≈ $47.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $108,972 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lincoln, NE, the dental hygiene sector employs approximately 280 professionals, pointing to a stable yet competitive market. The projected median annual salary for dental hygienists in 2026 is $99,798, which reflects a slight decline of 3.06% compared to the national median of $102,946. Salaries in the area range from $70,939 at the 10th percentile to $103,765 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay scale influenced by various factors. This data stem from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), highlighting the local compensation dynamics in relation to broader trends. Such figures suggest that while Lincoln's job market holds potential for applicants, local salaries may be under pressure when compared nationally.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,939 | $34.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $90,563 | $43.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $99,798 | $47.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,568 | $49.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,765 | $49.89 |
Median Salary Position
3.06% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,826 (2026 est.). At $99,798, the local median is 3.06% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Lincoln Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $99,798/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $94,238 | +5.90% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -3.06% less |
Dental Hygienists in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $99,798 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.06% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 5.90% above the Nebraska state average of $94,238.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $99,798 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $108,972 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2020 BLS Actual
$75,220
2025 BLS Actual
$95,100
2026 Current Est.
$99,798
2020–2027 Growth
+39.2%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Lincoln (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $75,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $99,798 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,728 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 26.4% from $75,220 (2020) to $95,100 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,728 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,508 (39.23%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $70,939 – $90,563 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $90,563 – $99,798 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $99,798 – $102,568 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,568 – $103,765 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Lincoln
Examining the specifics of the dental hygienist pay in Lincoln, it is essential to consider the cost of living, which stands at an index of 91.581, below the national average. This means that while salaries may be attractive, the purchasing power of dental hygienists can be impacted. Within Lincoln, multi-doctor group practices and Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) are often the highest-paying employers, thanks in part to their capacity to offer solid benefits and production bonuses. The pay variance can also be linked to differing work schedules, where hygienists working four-day weeks might see different compensation structures than those in five-day practices. Additionally, maximizing earnings often involves seeking opportunities that offer production-based incentives and negotiating for better benefits—particularly since many private practices may not provide comprehensive health insurance. Thus, understanding the local employment landscape is crucial for hygienists aiming to enhance their overall compensation in this market.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Lincoln, NE in 2026?
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Can dental hygienists make $100K in Lincoln?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Lincoln?
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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
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 $95,100 for dental hygienistsin the Lincoln 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 (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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