Dental Hygienist Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $96,912 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time dental hygienist in Sioux Falls, SD earns a median $96,912/year (≈ $46.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1292). Once you factor in Sioux Falls's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $106,930 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the dental hygienist job market is projecting a median annual salary of $96,912 for 2026, reflecting a healthy employment landscape with about 250 hygienists currently working in the area. With a salary range between $77,110 and $104,804, local compensation shines in comparison to the national median of $102,946. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, highlighting a competitive market where demand for dental hygienists continues to show promising growth, underscored by an annual growth rate of 4.94%. As Sioux Falls attracts new dental professionals, understanding local pay dynamics becomes essential for both new graduates and seasoned hygienists.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,110 | $37.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $88,055 | $42.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $96,912 | $46.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,567 | $47.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,804 | $50.38 |
Median Salary Position
5.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux Falls
In Sioux Falls, SD, the dental hygienist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,694 (2026 est.). At $96,912, the local median is 5.86% below the national median of $102,946.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sioux Falls: You'd be above the median
How Sioux Falls Dental Hygienist Pay Compares
Sioux Falls median: $96,912/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $95,574 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $102,946 | -5.86% less |
Dental Hygienists in Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $96,912 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.86% lower than the national median of $102,946 and 1.40% above the South Dakota state average of $95,574.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux Falls has a cost of living 9.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sioux Falls, SD has a cost-of-living index of 90.631 (below the national average of 100). A dental hygienist earning $96,912 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $106,930 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.34% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2020 BLS Actual
$75,260
2025 BLS Actual
$92,350
2026 Current Est.
$96,912
2020–2027 Growth
+35.1%
Salary Trajectory for Dental Hygienists in Sioux Falls (2020–2027)
2020–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.94% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $75,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,350 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $96,912 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,700 | Projected |
Based on 6 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, the median dental hygienist salary grew 22.7% from $75,260 (2020) to $92,350 (2025). At a 4.94% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,700 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,440 (35.13%) from 2020.
Note: Historical values (2020–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls 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) | $77,110 – $88,055 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $88,055 – $96,912 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $96,912 – $99,567 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,567 – $104,804 |
RDH salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual dental hygienist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Dental Hygienist Job Market in Sioux Falls
When analyzing dental hygienist salaries in Sioux Falls, SD, the cost of living plays a critical role, with a cost of living index at 90.631, suggesting that take-home salaries may stretch further compared to many other regions. Employed dental hygienists are typically found in various settings, with Dental Service Organizations (DSOs) like Heartland and Aspen often offering the most competitive compensation packages, driven by production-based bonuses and comprehensive benefits. The variation between the lowest and highest pay levels can also be attributed to factors such as work schedules—those in four-day positions may earn more and enjoy better time management—alongside the gaps in benefits, with private practices potentially lacking full health insurance. Strategies for maximizing earnings may include seeking employment with DSOs, which may offer sign-on bonuses, and embracing continued education or specialization opportunities to stand out in this evolving market.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dental hygienists make in Sioux Falls, SD in 2026?
Is Sioux Falls, SD a good place to work as a dental hygienist?
Can dental hygienists make $100K in Sioux Falls?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted dental hygienist salary in Sioux Falls?
How much does a dental hygienist make per hour in Sioux Falls?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Dakota
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 $92,350 for dental hygienistsin the Sioux Falls 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