Dental Hygienist Pay

Baltimore vs Lexington Park: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

Compare dental hygienist salaries between Baltimore, MD and Lexington Park, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$121,867
$58.59/hr
Lexington Park, MD
$109,620
$52.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDLexington Park, MD
Median Salary$121,867$109,620
Hourly Rate$58.59$52.70
Entry Level (P10)$107,826$100,312
25th Percentile$110,177$105,297
75th Percentile$127,670$128,184
Top Earner (P90)$131,217$131,416
Total Employed1,900130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($121,867) and Lexington Park ($109,620) dental hygienist salaries.BaltimoreLexington ParkMedian Salary$121,867$109,620Entry Level (P10)$107,826$100,312Top Earner (P90)$131,217$131,416US Median $102,946

Verdict

Baltimore, MD offers better overall compensation for dental hygienists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lexington Park.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Lexington Park is $12,247 (11.17%). Baltimore's median is +18.38% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $23,391,Lexington Park spans $31,104. Lexington Park has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced dental hygienists.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$107,826
P25$110,177
Median$121,867
P75$127,670
P90 (Top)$131,217
Lexington Park
P10 (Entry)$100,312
P25$105,297
Median$109,620
P75$128,184
P90 (Top)$131,416

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baltimore ($116,634 effective) pays 7.21% more than Lexington Park ($108,793 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $121,867
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $116,634
Lexington Park
Nominal: $109,620
CoL Index: 100.76
Adjusted: $108,793

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Higher median salary ($121,867/year)
  • Larger job market (1,900 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $116,634)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington Park if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($131,416)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Baltimore grew 21.9% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 2.3% growth in Lexington Park over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+21.9%

$95,290 (2020) → $116,130 (2025)

Lexington Park, MD

+2.3%

$102,140 (2024) → $104,460 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays dental hygienists more: Baltimore or Lexington Park?

Baltimore has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $121,867/year, compared to Lexington Park at $109,620/year — a difference of $12,247 (11.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Lexington Park?

Baltimore dental hygienists earn $58.59/hr while Lexington Park hygienists earn $52.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Lexington Park as a dental hygienist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Lexington Park. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $116,634, Lexington Park = $108,793), job availability (1,900 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level dental hygienists earn in Baltimore vs Lexington Park?

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $107,826 in Baltimore and $100,312 in Lexington Park. The Baltimore area offers higher starting salaries.
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