Dental Hygienist Pay

Ellicott City vs Lexington Park: Dental Hygienist Salary (2026)

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

Ellicott City, MD
$113,004
$54.33/hr
Lexington Park, MD
$109,620
$52.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEllicott City, MDLexington Park, MD
Median Salary$113,004$109,620
Hourly Rate$54.33$52.70
Entry Level (P10)$84,759$100,312
25th Percentile$94,297$105,297
75th Percentile$122,449$128,184
Top Earner (P90)$140,182$131,416
Total Employed15130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ellicott City ($113,004) and Lexington Park ($109,620) dental hygienist salaries.Ellicott CityLexington ParkMedian Salary$113,004$109,620Entry Level (P10)$84,759$100,312Top Earner (P90)$140,182$131,416US Median $102,946

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Ellicott City and Lexington Park is $3,384 (3.09%). Ellicott City's median is +9.77% compared to the US national median of $102,946.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ellicott City spans $55,423,Lexington Park spans $31,104. Ellicott City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Ellicott City
P10 (Entry)$84,759
P25$94,297
Median$113,004
P75$122,449
P90 (Top)$140,182
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, Lexington Park ($108,793 effective) pays 5.23% more than Ellicott City ($103,389 effective).

Ellicott City
Nominal: $113,004
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $103,389
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 Ellicott City if…

  • Higher median salary ($113,004/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($140,182)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington Park if…

  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $108,793)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, dental hygienist salaries in Ellicott City grew 16.6% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 2.3% growth in Lexington Park over the same period.

Ellicott City, MD

+16.6%

$92,331 (2020) → $107,684 (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: Ellicott City or Lexington Park?

Ellicott City has a higher median dental hygienist salary at $113,004/year, compared to Lexington Park at $109,620/year — a difference of $3,384 (3.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ellicott City and Lexington Park?

Ellicott City dental hygienists earn $54.33/hr while Lexington Park hygienists earn $52.70/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ellicott City and Lexington Park. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ellicott City = $103,389, Lexington Park = $108,793), job availability (15 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) dental hygienists earn $84,759 in Ellicott City and $100,312 in Lexington Park. The Lexington Park 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